Early Bloomers

Full foliage starting in early June

 This bright orange Geum is one of the strongest performers in my garden.  One of the earliest bloomers, it seems to break from the snow with green leaves, buds out in early June and a steady performer into the summer months.  While other plants are struggling to leaf out and I wonder if anything made it through the winter, this Geum is tough and hardy showing its color with vitality and spunk.  Located in a spot with full sun, it has thrived year after year. 

Orange Geum

These pictures are taken the 3rd week in June, but I wish I would have taken some pics a couple of weeks ago when this plant was in full throttle.  As you can see, I'm a little behind on my deadheading.  I should note that I have two other red Geum (Mrs Bradshaw variety, I believe) that are no where near the size of the orange at this time.  They are only now leafing out and looking like they may do something this summer. 

Cushion Spurge:Euphorbia epithymoides

Another great early performer is this Euphorbia.  Again, I wish I would have taken a picture a couple of weeks ago when the bracts were bright yellow; it is another harbinger of spring after a long winter.  A nice architectural plant that fills in a good amount of space and a nice spray of unusual foliage.

Candytuft/Iberis

 Another early bloomer is the white Candytuft or Iberis.  This plant (around 3 years old) has finally reached a nice size and has about a 2 foot spread.  It's in a location that gets filtered sun in the morning and then full sun in the afternoon.  I have another one that was in a shadier location that just got leggy and didn't bloom as well. 

And of course, bulbs:

Grape Hyacinth

Allium

I have a mix of Daffodils, Grape Hyacinth, and Allium in my garden that give a nice pop of color even though snow may still be lingering.