Plants to extend the season: Early flowering plants

Back in winter I wrote a post on plants for late season colour and pollinator food. The other end of the season to think about is early flowering plants that bring cheer to damp early spring days and a welcome source of food for the insects.

Hellebores

They come in lots of different colours and patterns. They will happily cross and self seed too so you can get some interesting ones popping up if you leave them to seed. Bees love the single rather than double flowers.

Early Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus)

A welcome site in late winter. Small flowered crocus in colours from pale lilac to deep violet. Self-seeds and will naturalise in grass so a good companion for lawns or other areas of short grass or woodland areas. Also good in pots. Loved by bees and other early insects. Especially the queen bumblebees emerging from hibernation. 

Wallflowers (Erysimum cheiri)

Early flowering biennial with gorgeous shades from reds and purples to orange and yellow plus a delicious smell. I have them planted on top of tulip bulbs in big pots by the front door, they will flower before and during the tulip display.

Pulmonaria

 Low growing, clump forming herbaceous perennial with cluster of blue, bell-shaped flowers produced in mid-spring. Tough little plant, makes great groundcover and good for tricky corners where beds are overshadowed or underplanting shrubs in woodland areas.