The most beautiful spring flowers

Looking forward to spring? We have compiled a selection with some of the most attractive flowering shrubs to start out into the most beautiful month of the year. Take a look and discover the magnificent blossoms produced by otherwise seemingly plain woody plants.

  • Horse Chestnut
    Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

    Among large trees, the Horse Chestnut displays some of the most magnificent autumn colours, the bright creamy yellow autumn leaves adorning the tree for several weeks. Avenues of chestnut trees are particularly impressive in autumn.

  • Common Hawthorn, Quickthorn
    Common Hawthorn, Quickthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

    The Common Hawthorn or Quickthorn is an irregularly shaped large shrub or small tree of moderate growth potential. Ideal for topiaries and hedging. The pungently smelling white umbels flower at the end of May. The red fruits are edible but tasteless.

  • Common Privet
    Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)

    The Privet is a deciduous bush which may also be evergreen in mild climates; it is rarely found as a small tree growing to a height of 5 metres. It is only found in sunny shrubberies, light woodlands and borders on mostly calcareous soil. All parts are poisonous.

  • Empress Tree, Foxglove Tree, Princess Tree
    Empress Tree, Foxglove Tree, Princess Tree (Paulownia imperialis)

    The Empress Tree is a small to medium-sized tree with large leaves and striking blue foxglove-shaped flowers with a sweet, fruity scent. Young plants may be damaged by frost.

  • Gean, Wild Cherry
    Gean, Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

    The Gean or Wild Cherry is a medium-sized tree with a wide ovate crown. The white flowers are delicately scented. The small dark red cherries are edible. The Wild Cherry is an important forrage tree for butterflies.

  • Blackthorn, Sloe
    Blackthorn, Sloe (Prunus spinosa)

    Deciduous tree which grows to roughly 24m. Leaves 8-12cm long are divided into three unequal lobes with spiny tips. Fruits 1-2cm wide in a rough scaly cup. Magnificent scarlet red autumn colour.

  • Common Pear, Wild Pear
    Common Pear, Wild Pear (Pyrus communis)

    The name Common Pear (Pyrus communis) is now considered to refer collectively to more than 1000 cultivars and their wild derivatives. The medium-sized pear trees have glossy green leaves and sweet-tasting fruits.

  • Wayfaring Tree
    Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)

    The Wayfaring Tree is a large bush which grows upright or funnel-shaped, with semi-circular creamy white cymes and red stone fruit. It produces a pungent smell. The oblong leaf is woolly grey after sprouting, turning green-yellow or vermillion in autumn.

  • Common Lilac
    Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

    The Common Lilac is a slow-growing deciduous bush with virgate branches which is often planted for its deliciously fragrant, magnificent blossoms. It is found in many varieties and colours.

  • Serviceberry, Snowy Mespilus, June Berry
    Serviceberry, Snowy Mespilus, June Berry (Amelanchier lamarckii)

    The Serviceberry (Snowy Mespilus or June Berry) is a small tree or multi-stemmed bush growing to a maximum height of 8 metres. Pretty white flowers appear at the end of April. Magnificent red autumn colour. The small blue-black berries are fairly tasteless and were used in the past instead of currants.

  • Japanese Yellow Rose, Japanese Kerria
    Japanese Yellow Rose, Japanese Kerria (Kerria Japonica)

    The robust Japanese Yellow Rose or Japanese Kerria is an expansive, upright bush growing to heights of 1.5 - 2.0m. Also forms flowering hedges. The golden yellow blossoms appear from April onwards. This bush produces suckers.

  • Japanese Cherry, Oriental Cherry
    Japanese Cherry, Oriental Cherry (Prunus serrulata)

    The Japanese Cherry or Oriental Cherry is a broad round-shaped tree growing to heights of 12m. Flowering period from April onwards. White or pink blossoms, filled or half-filled. Popular solitary tree for gardens and parks.

  • Red Horsechestnut
    Red Horsechestnut (Aesculus carnea)

    The Red Horsechestnut is a strong, broad tree with an arched crown which grows to heights of 20m. Bright red blossom in May. Yellow or brown autumn colouring. Rarely fruiting. Slightly spiny capsule with a brown nut.