Early flowering shrubs for the garden

Not only flowers belong to the early bloomers, there are also numerous early blooming shrubs. Here you will find the best early flowering shrubs for your garden.

when you look at early bloomers thinks, spring flowers like crocus (Crocus) or tulips (Tulipa) a. In fact, there are also shrubs that are early bloomers: thanks to cold-resistant flowers, many plants use the spring to be pollinated. In this article, we will tell you which early-flowering trees and shrubs there are and which early-flowering shrubs are particularly bee-friendly.

1. spring piers (Spiraea thunbergii)

At just over a meter tall, Spring Spire is one of the smallest of the spring flowering shrubs. Nevertheless, the dwarf shrub can definitely become the focal point of the garden: when the spring spars open theirs at the beginning of March numerous white flowers, it turns into a veritable sea of ​​flowers that bees and other insects like to visit will. The early-blooming shrub carries its white flowers into May, provided they do not fall victim to the frost. To prevent this, it is worth planting the spring pier on a sunny, weather-protected place if possible Location to plant, even if the early flowering shrub is considered to be very tolerant and frugal in terms of soil and location concerns.

2. hazel (Corylus avellana)

One of the bushes that bloom early is definitely the hazel, also known as the hazelnut bush. From February you can see the blossoms of the hazel. If you take a closer look at the spring bloomers, you will even discover two different types of flowers on the bush: since the hazel is monoecious, the bush bears fruit both the inconspicuous, female flowers and the yellow, elongated, male catkins, which to the chagrin of many allergy sufferers clouds of pollen release. Although the hazel relies primarily on wind pollination, the early-blooming shrub is still considered valuable for bees, as it is one of the most important sources of pollen for bees in spring. With a height of three to six meters, the hazel is also suitable for smaller gardens Cultivation of the hazelnut should pay attention to a sunny place if you want to bring in a rich harvest. In addition, the plant prefers deep, humus-rich and moderately moist soil.

3. gingerbread tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

the gingerbread tree is best known for its foliage, which gives off a delicious scent of cinnamon and caramel in autumn. But the early-flowering shrub is also a real feast for the eyes in spring: the gingerbread tree presents its filigree, red flowers from March. However, the early-blooming shrub with the red flowers relies on the wind for pollination and not on insects, which is why it is not a suitable source of nectar for bees and the like. Nevertheless, the gingerbread tree can be an enrichment for the garden if you have enough space - the gingerbread tree reaches an impressive height of twelve meters.

Despite its Asian homeland, the early-flowering shrub tolerates the German climate well if you choose a sunny location with nutrient-rich, deep and fresh soil.

4. Jewel mahonia (mahonia bealei)

As early as February, the mahonia shows its bright yellow flower clusters, turning it into an eye-catcher in the garden. The early-blooming shrub with the yellow flowers impresses with its bright flowers and pleasant fragrance until April. But not only people are impressed - bees and bumblebees also love the early flowering shrub. In Germany, the mahogany with a maximum size of about two meters also fits well in smaller gardens. The evergreen shrub proves to be relatively robust if you put it in the right place: drafts and The early-flowering shrub does not particularly like winter sun, instead preferring a sheltered spot in the open air The shade. In addition, the decorative mahonia is happy about a nutritious, humus-rich soil with even soil moisture.

5. snow forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum)

The snow forsythia shows its impressive flowers from March to May. During this period, the early-blooming shrubs turn white into a veritable sea of ​​fine, fragrant flowers. But not only gardeners love the numerous flowers of the snow forsythia: the early flowering shrub is for bees a great food source, notable for its good nectar value and incredible number of flowers captivates. With a maximum height and width of two meters, the snow forsythia is also wonderfully suited for small gardens. The early flowering shrub, which is somewhat sensitive to frost, should only be treated to a sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind at best - it makes hardly any demands on the soil.

6. star magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

With numerous white star flowers, the star magnolia is probably one of the most beautiful early flowering shrubs in the garden. The densely branched ornamental shrub impresses with its rich blooms from March and into April. The star magnolia is extremely interesting for beetles and other insects because it has a good pollen content. However, it does not produce nectar, which is why bees rarely fly to it. With a maximum height of three meters and slow growth, the early flowering shrub is also suitable for smaller gardens. However, you should pay attention to a sunny sheltered location so that the star magnolia can develop its full splendor. In addition, like all magnolias, the early-blooming shrub has sensitive roots, which is why the plants of magnolia particular importance should be attached to a good substrate: loose, nutrient-rich and acidic soil with even moisture is ideal.

7. bird cherry (Prunus padus)

With a height of up to 10 meters as a shrub and up to 15 meters as a tree, the bird cherry is a giant among early flowering shrubs. The plant, which can be cultivated as a large shrub or small tree, is native to all of Europe and also thrives very well in gardens if you can give it the necessary space. Here you should pay attention to an adequate water supply, especially at a young age, because the Bird cherry has a high water requirement and for this reason prefers a fresh to moist Floor. In contrast, its light requirement is only moderate, so it grows well even in partial shade to shade.

From April to June, the shrub, which is one of the early bloomers, shows its white flower clusters, which give off a rather strong smell for humans. However, the smell of the early-flowering shrub seems very appealing to bees, butterflies and other insects to be pleasant, for they swarm in flocks to the nectar- and pollen-rich flowers of the bird cherry.

8. winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

With its bright yellow flowers you can winter jasmine can be seen from afar in spring: from January, or even from December if the weather is mild, the early-blooming shrub gradually opens its yellow flowers well into April. In contrast to other jasmine species, the flowers of winter jasmine are not fragrant, but bees are still attracted to the early-blooming yellow shrub. Winter jasmine is usually used as a insect friendly climber cultivated by letting it grow up a trellis or trellis. Here the early flowering shrub reaches a height of up to three meters. Will the hardy climber When raised without support, it does not form a crown, but spreads its overhanging shoots flat on the ground.

The winter jasmine thrives best in a sheltered, sunny to slightly shady location, although the plant is generally considered to be very robust. The early-flowering shrub also makes hardly any demands on the soil.

If you are looking for a yellow shrub among the early bloomers, you cannot avoid the winter mahonia. The early flowering shrub, which bears the cultivar name 'Winter Sun', adorns itself from January to March not only with yellow flower clusters, but also colors its leaves from autumn to spring yellow Red. Thanks to a maximum growth height of two meters, the winter mahonia is also suitable for smaller gardens if you give it the right one Location can offer: A sheltered location in partial shade or shade and without winter sun is ideal for the early flowering shrub in yellow. On the other hand, the winter mahonia is quite tolerant of soil, but prefers a nutrient-rich, humus-rich substrate. Incidentally, not only people like the winter mahonia - the early flowering shrub is also popular with bees.

10. witch hazel (witch hazel)

When the blossoms of the witch hazel slowly open despite the snow and cold, you quickly see why the plant is doing its thing unusual name: The early flowering shrubs with yellow, orange or red flowers look magical the end. Spring flowering shrubs include Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis) and the Japanese witch hazel (Hamamelis japonica), which bloom from January to March, but also the hybrid witch hazel (witch hazel x intermediate), the flowering time of which varies depending on the variety. The early flowers are an important food source for bees and bumblebees as they appear early in the year.

Do you want them? plant witch hazel, you should pay particular attention to the right location: the witch hazel prefers deep, fresh and very humus-rich soil as well as a sheltered, sunny position. In addition, the witch hazel reacts to dryness, compaction and waterlogging. Additionally, one should choose the right one location for the witch hazel also consider the planting neighbours, since the early-blooming shrub tends to have weak roots.

Not only early flowering shrubs provide color accents in the garden. You can find out in our article which plants lift your mood with colorful flowers in winter winter bloomers.