We all have certain plants that immediately come to mind when thinking of a garden in spring. For many, these are daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths skirting the trunks of flowering magnolias, cherries, and lilacs. But as William Cullina discusses in his article 9 Perennials to Liven Up Your Spring Garden, there are lots of out-of-the-ordinary or simply underappreciated plants that can elevate your spring garden to something spectacular.

Find some outstanding spring plants for the Southern Plains below. And discover even more surprising spring stars in 9 Perennials to Liven Up Your Spring Garden.

1. Celandine Poppy

Name: Stylophorum diphyllum

Zones: 4–9

Size: 12 to 18 inches tall by 9 to 12 inches wide

Conditions: Partial to full shade; medium to wet soil

Native range: Eastern North America

The sunny blooms of this woodland beauty always fill my heart with joy. Not to be confused with the aggressive lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), this native poppy produces clusters of large yellow blooms in spring atop mounds of bold, deeply lobed foliage. Celandine poppy tolerates heavy shade and wet soil, where it will self-sow. In my hot, dry garden, the plant goes dormant in summer. It’s a lovely addition to wildflower and woodland gardens, and deer avoid the toxic foliage (pet owners, use caution). Plant this beauty among late-emerging perennials in shade beds for a stunning combo.

2. ‘Blueberry Sundae’ Baptisia

Name: Baptisia ‘Blueberry Sundae’

Zones: 4–9

Size: 36 inches tall and 30 to 36 inches wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; average to lean, well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

Recent breeding efforts have led gardeners to discover this underutilized native perennial. Baptisias buzz with pollinators in late spring to early summer when spires of blooms stand above the blue-green foliage. ‘Blueberry Sundae’ is an improved hybrid with vivid indigo-blue flowers and a compact, mounding form. Autumn brings decorative seedpods popular for inclusion in dried arrangements. This long-lived, low-maintenance perennial has a deep taproot and doesn’t tolerate moving once established. ‘Blueberry Sundae’ baptisia is slow to get going, but well worth the wait. The plant is deer resistant and drought tolerant also.

3. ‘Scarlet Storm’ Flowering Quince

Name: Chaenomeles ‘Scarlet Storm’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; adaptable to a variety of soil types

Native range: Hybrid

Seeing a flowering quince blooming on a long-abandoned Texas homestead should tell you something: this is one tough shrub. Drought, erosion, clay soil—flowering quince takes all that and more. And new thornless, fruitless, more-compact cultivars bring flowering quince into the 21st century. ‘Scarlet Storm’ blooms longer than old-fashioned varieties, with a profusion of scarlet red blooms adored by pollinators. A bit of afternoon shade will help flowers last longer in our hot climate. The upright, multistemmed habit adds structure to perennial gardens and makes for an excellent hedge.

4. ‘Georgia Peach Pie’ Dianthus

Name: Dianthus ‘Georgia Peach Pie’

Zones: 5–9

Size: 8 to 12 inches tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

Dianthus is another old-fashioned plant that deserves a second look. I grow it as much for the textural, blue-green foliage as for its clove-scented flowers. With repeat blooming and evergreen foliage (in mild climates), ‘Georgia Peach Pie’ offers a stunning update with larger blooms and a compact habit. The flowers are blush pink, with striking centers of soft peach ringed in deep coral. I can’t resist cutting handfuls for fragrant bouquets. Easy to grow and incredibly versatile, this dianthus is heat and drought tolerant once established, and it resists browsing by deer and rabbits.

Kimberly Toscano is a horticulturist and garden designer from Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

National Wildlife Federation®: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife, Expanded Second Edition (Creative Homeowner) 17 Projects & Step-by-Step Instructions to Give Back to Nature

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

From the National Wildlife Federation, the largest U.S. nonprofit conservation organization, with 6 million members and 51 state and territorial affiliated organizations. 17 step-by-step projects that everyone can do together make getting your family back to nature easy, educational, and fun. Over 200 color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the wide variety of creatures they attract, plus step-by-step photos and illustrations for family projects. Learn wildlife-friendly practices for gardening, landscape design, supplemental feeders, birdbaths, nesting places, and more. Learn how to attract backyard pollinators, from bees and butterflies to beetles, bats, and hummingbirds Get your garden certified by the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife(TM) program by following the included certification application checklist.

Buy at Amazon

Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation. Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.

Buy at Amazon

Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.

Buy at Amazon