It’s Joseph in northern Indiana here, where a string of warm days has pushed my garden over into the earliest flowers of spring.

I picked this hellebore (Helleborus hybrid, Zones 4–8) from a local nursery with no tag, so I didn’t know what to expect. It was just a small plant, and I honestly wasn’t sure it would flower this year, but here it is! It’s a nice double pink, and the flowers don’t hang down quite as much as most varieties I’ve grown. I’m happy!

When I moved into this house two and a half years ago, the backyard was choked with invasive weeds like Lonicera maackii. One of the rewards for clearing that out was discovering clumps of common snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis, Zones 3–8).

In the front garden I’ve planted lots of giant snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii, Zones 4–8). You can see how this plant gets the name, compared to the flowers of the common snowdrop in the backyard. The giant is a bit earlier blooming too. But I love both of them!

I planted a bunch of crocuses (Crocus minimus ‘Spring Beauty’, Zones 4–8 ) last fall. The squirrels ate most of them, but a few survived and are blooming.

Reticulata irises (Iris reticulata and related species and hybrids, Zones 5–9) are favorite early bloomers for me. They don’t persist well in heavy clay soil, but this garden is very sandy, so they seem happy. This one was part of a mix of different varieties and so I’m not sure of the cultivar name, but it sure is pretty!

I always forget just how early Pulmonaria (Zones 3–8) are. I always think of bulbs as early bloomers, but this little perennial starts so soon, with plenty of more blooms to come.

And this is maybe my favorite early bloomer of all—snow trillium (Trillium nivale, Zones 3–8). It isn’t quite open yet, but it will be soon! I love this little plant because it is so early, AND it is native, a key food source for native pollinators coming out of their winter hibernation.

Any signs of spring in your garden? Send in photos! We’d love to see them here on the GPOD.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

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

This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

Buy at Amazon

Spear & Jackson 4930FZ Razorsharp Telescopic Tree Pruner

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

Telescopic tree pruner with SK5 carbon steel blade which stays sharper for longer. Variable length telescopic handle extends up to 92 Inch (2340mm). Lopper for cutting branches up to 1.2" (30mm). 13 inch (330mm) saw is ideal for cutting thicker branches. Supplied with a long cord and pull-action handle. Part of the Razorsharp Advantage collection, the obvious choice for gardeners who demand and expect precise, powerful performance. "Grow Your Own" Great British Growing 2020 Award Winners.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

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

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon