18 Floral Must-Haves For April Planting

Spring is in full swing, and April is the perfect month to refresh your garden with vibrant, blooming flowers. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, knowing which flowers thrive this time of year can make all the difference.

From cheerful annuals that brighten patios to hardy perennials that promise years of beauty, we’ve compiled a list of 20 floral must-haves for April planting. Get ready to dig in, sow some seeds, and watch your garden come alive with color and life this spring!

Snowdrops (Gilanthus nivalis)

These small, white bulb flowers pop through the snow and open in late winter. Though not native, they help feed early solitary bees and hoverflies when few options are available.
Galanthus nivalis

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Often dismissed as a weed, dandelions are among the most accessible food sources for bees emerging from hibernation.
Taraxacum officinale

Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)

These fuzzy catkins are more than a spring decoration. Willows offer both nectar and pollen, especially valuable to native bees and butterflies.
Salix discolor.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)

One of the earliest perennials to bloom in shade, lungwort draws in bees with its multi-colored flowers and long bloom time.
Pulmonaria spp.

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

These cheerful yellow flowers are among the first bulbs to bloom. They open wide on sunny days, making them accessible to early pollinators.
Eranthis hyemalis.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

This native tree flowers before it leafs out, offering bright red blooms rich in pollen that attract early bees and beetles.
Acer rubrum.

Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

This native wildflower is a favorite of hummingbirds and long-tongued bees. It blooms toward the end of April in many zones.
Aquilegia spp.

Pussytoes (Antennaria spp.)

This low, fuzzy native wildflower blooms in April and supports spring-flying butterflies and a small native bee.
Antennaria spp

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

This dandelion look-alike blooms before it puts out any leaves. It grows in rough areas and offers early-season nectar and pollen.
Tussilaga farfara

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

These funnel-shaped flowers shift from pink to blue and are excellent nectar sources for bumble bees and butterflies.
Mertensia virginica.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

This native woodland wildflower produces delicate white flowers and blooms for just a few days. It’s an early favorite for native bees.
Sanguinaria canadensis.

Hellebore (Helleborus niger)

Often called Lenten rose, hellebores bloom while snow is still on the ground. They feed bees when not much else is flowering.
Helleborus niger.

Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

These native spring ephemerals carpet forest floors in April and are visited by early solitary bees and flies.
Erythronium americanum

Violets (Viola spp.)

Violets are among the earliest bloomers. They are small and white or shades of purple and grow in lawn areas that are untreated by pesticides and herbicides.
Viola spp

Crocus (Crocus sativus)

These low-growing bulbs bloom as early as late February. They’re a favorite for early honey bees and bumble bee queens looking to recharge after winter.
Crocus Spp.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

This native shrub blooms before leaf-out and supports bees as well as spicebush swallowtail butterflies later in the season.
Lindera benzoin

Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

Low-growing and early, squill offers a burst of blue flowers that provide early nectar to bees and other insects.
Scilla siberica

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas)

A small tree that blooms in March, offering nectar-rich golden clusters that attract early native bees.
Cornus mas.