Trees and Shrubs to Plant for Month-by-Month Spring Color
Anna Montgomery
Wreath Spirea - white blooms, March and April
'Kintoki' Dogwood - yellow blooms from March to April, fall interest also: large reddish-purple, cherry-like, edible berries form by September, full sun or partial shade
'Hino Crimson' (scarlet red) Azalea - one of the earliest bloomers, late March into April
'Korean Spice' Viburnum - blooms March and April
'Coral Bells' (prolific pink) Azalea - early bloomer, typically first or second week of April (dig a shallow hole when planting, does not tolerate direct sun from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.)
'Appalachian' Redbud (also called Eastern redbud) tree - blooms in April, easy to grow in full sun to partial shade, attracts hummingbirds, does not like to be transplanted so do not move once planted, native to Tennessee and the Southeast
'Silverbell' (white) tree - blooms in April, low maintenance, native to Southeast, prefers part shade
Spring-blooming camellia - blooms in April
'Poukanense' (Korean, rose purple) Azalea - blooms April to May, attracts humminbirds and butterflies
'Delaware Valley' (white) Azalea - blooms April to May, low maintenance, attracts butterflies
'Hershey's Red' (bright red) Azalea - blooms in May, attracts butterflies, winter interest as well
Fothergilla - April to May
Deutzia - April to May
'Yoshino' Cherry tree - April to May
'Miss Kim' Lilac - blooms in May, slightly later than French lilacs, long-lasting blooms
'Snowbell' (Japanese) tree - fragrant white blooms May to June, full sun to part shade
Hybrid 'Rosy Teacups' (pink) dogwood - blooms May & June, long-lasting bracts-3 weeks or more, developed by Dr. Elwin Orton of Rutgers University, pest and disease resistant, full sun to part shade, red-orange ornamental fruit in summer, red and burgundy color in fall
Mock Orange Bush - blooms May and June, fragrant white flowers that resemble orange blossoms (hence its name)