Spring blooming perennials can be planted at anytime of the growing season, although spring is usually when the best selection is available in the nursery industry. It is worth planting spring blooming perennials throughout the summer and fall to give them a head start for their flower displays in the spring. The following list of perennials includes plants that are more commonly planted in the home landscape, but is in no way a complete list of what is available. There are literally hundreds of perennials that have attractive spring flower displays.

[ enlarge photo]	BASKET OF GOLD Basket of Gold, also known as Alyssum, is unique in that it offers a mass of yellow flowers in early spring when almost no other plants will be blooming. It flowers at the same time as Spring Phlox, and Candytuft. Alyssum has a weeping habit that works well in rock gardens. Basket of Gold will flower profusely for three or four years but will begin to fade after that, so replanting is sometimes necessary to maintain vigorous flowering. One other factor that should be taken into consideration is Alyssum foliage is not the most attractive after it is done blooming. Plant it in places where other plants and flowers can hide it later in the year.
[ enlarge photo]	BLEEDING HEART Bleeding Heart has been a popular spring perennial for many years, and many people remember seeing it in Grandma's flower garden. Bleeding heart has the advantage of being one of the few perennials that will flower in the shade. In fact, it must be planted in the shade for it to thrive. Flower color ranges from white to red. Bleeding Hearts can reach a size of two to three feet high and wide, and there are also dwarf fern-leaf varieties available that will only reach a maximum height of 18 inches. Bleeding Hearts will naturally die back in late June or early July, but have no fear; they will be back the next spring.
[ enlarge photo]	CANDYTUFT Candytuft is an awesome perennial. It has white flowers in early spring at the same time as bulbs, Phlox, Basket of Gold, and Rock Cress. After it is done blooming it still has nice evergreen foliage that will add interest to the flower garden. Candytuft has a weeping habit that naturally lends itself to rock gardens, but it also works well anywhere else as long as the location has good sun. Severely cut back Candytuft every other year to keep the plant vigorous.
[ enlarge photo]	CAPE DAISY Cape daisy, also known as Osteospermum or African daisy, is another good spring blooming perennial, with flower colors varying from white and pink to purple. Cape daisies prefer full sun to part shade but must be planted in well-drained soil. In Utah, they bloom mainly in the spring, but if the old flowers are deadheaded, the plants will bloom well into summer. When purchasing Cape daisies, make sure that they are perennials because many annual varieties are also sold.
	COLUMBINE Columbine is one of the most popular spring flowers. Flower colors come in many varieties, but the most common include yellow, lavender, white and purple. Columbine looks good in rock gardens, woodlands and other naturalized settings, and will reach a size of two feet high and wide. Cut back dead flower heads and then cut the foliage back as it turns yellow in late summer.
[ enlarge photo]	CREEPING PHLOX The Phlox family is a large family whose members are all North American natives. This is the purple or pink flower that is seen in mass in early spring. Phlox come in colors of white, pink, and purple, and are nice when planted in mass in rock gardens and other flowerbeds. They are also sometimes used as groundcovers. Phlox are best when planted in the fall, but they will also do well when planted in spring. Phlox prefer a well-drained soil and are sometimes susceptible to spider mites.
[ enlarge photo]	DIANTHUS The Dianthus family includes many popular flowers. Some of the more common varieties include: Carnations, Sweet Williams, and Pinks. Most Dianthus will start blooming in late spring or early summer. If the dead flower heads are cut back they will bloom for much longer. Dianthus either grows in large clumps or as a groundcover, and it will grow six inches to a foot high. Some of the better varieties to plant are: Sweet Williams, Raspberry and Strawberry Parfait, Zing series, Telstar series, and Cheddar Pinks. Some Dianthus is short lived so periodic replanting may be necessary.
[ enlarge photo]	ENGLISH DAISY English daisy is a very early spring bloomer and sometimes starts as early as March. They come in red, yellow, pink and white and will grow four inches high and between six inches and a foot wide. English daisies prefer to be planted in cool moist areas and in partial shade. In Utah, they are often biennial or a short-lived perennial and are often planted with pansies and bulbs.
[ enlarge photo]	FOXGLOVE Foxglove is a very interesting plant. Not only are the flowers beautiful, but they have medicinal value that has been used for over three hundred years. A drug called Digitalin is taken from the leaves and used to treat heart ailments. Do not try to cure your own heart problems with it because of the powerful nature of Digitalin. Foxglove is biennial or a short lived perennial. It will reach a height of two to three feet when in flower; because of this, it is a good background plant that will create height in the flower garden. Foxglove does best in partial shade, and it also likes a moist but not excessively wet soil. It comes in colors of white, red, and purple.
[ enlarge photo]	IRIS Although irises are often planted as bulbs, they are also often found in garden centers as potted plants. Irises come in a multitude of colors, are very long lived, and need to be divided every three to four years to keep them blooming. Common varieties that grow well in Utah include: German Iris, Bearded Iris and Siberian Iris. Siberian Irises are also sometimes fragrant, having a grape smell.
[ enlarge photo]	LUPINE Lupines are probably best known as a mountain flower. In the spring they bloom at the same time as many other alpine perennials such as Columbine and Phlox. The types of Lupines that are most commonly grown in the home garden are the Russell hybrids. They are the easiest type of Lupines to grow, coming in a variety of colors, and thrive in full sun to partial shade. Lupines are biennials or short -lived perennials.
[ enlarge photo]	PEONY Peonies have been grown by generations of gardeners and are one of the best-loved spring perennials. They consistently bloom near Memorial Day and are often placed at the graves of loved ones. Peonies come in an assortment of colors including pink, white, red, and sometimes yellow or light purple and prefer full sun. Often used as an informal hedge because of the attractive foliage, peonies are very long lived and make a wonderful addition to any yard or garden.
[ enlarge photo]	PERENNIAL GERANIUM (CRANESBILL) Perennial Geraniums are another native wildflower that will grow well in the home garden. They flower profusely in mid-spring in colors of pink, white and purple. There are many varieties available, but Johnson's Blue is one of the most popular. Most Geraniums will grow to 18 inches tall and will spread a couple of feet. Cut back Cranesbill after it has flowered and it will sporadically flower through the summer. It is also possible to divide Geraniums in the fall every three to four years.
	ROCK-CRESS Rock-Cress is a good border plant and also works well in rock gardens. Not only does it have nice flowers but also has visually pleasing foliage, so it will look good all season long. Rock-Cress has white flowers in early to mid-spring and works well when planted along with Phlox, Basket of Gold, and various bulbs. It will reach a height of only six to ten inches, so it should be planted in areas where it is more visible. Rock-Cress can be easily divided every couple of years.