What to Plant in March: 17 Must-Plant Flowers for Early Spring

March is a transformative month in the garden, marking the transition from winter’s chill to the hopeful warmth of spring. With careful planning and the right selection of hardy flowers, you can create a vibrant, blooming garden that kickstarts the growing season. This comprehensive guide explores 17 excellent flowers to plant in March, providing benefits, planting tips, and expert advice tailored to early spring conditions.

In this article, you will learn:

• The advantages of planting flowers in March for a head start on spring.
• Detailed profiles of 17 ideal flowers for early spring, including their unique benefits and planting tips.
• Strategies for planning your garden layout to maximize color and pollinator attraction.
• Answers to the top 10 frequently asked questions about what flowers to plant in March.
• A detailed meta description optimized for SEO.

Let’s explore the top 17 flowers to plant in March and get your garden blooming as the season unfolds.

Introduction: Embracing the Early Blooms of Spring

March in the garden is all about transformation. As the days get longer and the threat of frost gradually diminishes, it’s time to add a burst of color and life to your outdoor space. Early spring flowers not only brighten up your garden but also attract pollinators, setting the stage for a thriving ecosystem throughout the growing season. With the right choices, you can ensure continuous blooms and a garden that evolves beautifully as temperatures rise.

Top 17 Flowers to Plant in March

1. Pansies (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)

• Benefits: Hardy and available in a variety of colors, pansies are perfect for early spring displays.
• Planting Tips: Sow pansy seeds or transplant seedlings into well-drained beds; space them 6–8 inches apart.

2. Violas (Viola odorata)

• Benefits: With their delicate, small blooms, violas add a soft, charming touch to borders.
• Planting Tips: Plant in clusters in full sun or partial shade, keeping soil evenly moist.

3. Primroses (Primula vulgaris)

• Benefits: Early bloomers that add a burst of pastel color to shaded areas.
• Planting Tips: Transplant young primrose plants into sheltered spots with partial shade; space about 8–10 inches apart.

4. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

• Benefits: Known for their fragrance and beautiful climbing habit, sweet peas bring vertical interest.
• Planting Tips: Sow seeds indoors early or directly in a sheltered spot; provide a trellis for support and space about 6–8 inches apart.

5. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

• Benefits: Their tall, spiky flowers add height and drama, making them great for borders.
• Planting Tips: Start seeds indoors in early March and transplant after hardening off; space 8–12 inches apart in full sun.

6. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Benefits: With bright orange or yellow blooms, calendula brings sunshine to cool gardens and deters pests.
• Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly once the soil warms; space about 10–12 inches apart in full sun.

7. Dianthus (e.g., Sweet William)

• Benefits: Fragrant and colorful, dianthus adds elegance and a clove-like aroma.
• Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil with full sun; space 8–10 inches apart to encourage bushy growth.

8. Stock (Matthiola incana)

• Benefits: Stock offers a delightful fragrance and clusters of rich, colorful blooms that attract pollinators.
• Planting Tips: Transplant seedlings into the garden in March; space them 10–12 inches apart in a sunny location.

9. Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica)

• Benefits: These charming blue flowers add a delicate, wildflower feel and thrive in cool, moist conditions.
• Planting Tips: Sow seeds in early spring in moist, well-drained soil; space about 8 inches apart.

10. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

• Benefits: Producing clusters of small, fragrant blooms, sweet alyssum acts as a natural ground cover.
• Planting Tips: Sow directly in the garden or containers; space about 6–8 inches apart in full sun to partial shade.

11. Viola × wittrockiana (Wallflowers)

• Benefits: Wallflowers bring vibrant color and a long blooming period into early spring gardens.
• Planting Tips: Transplant established wallflower seedlings into the garden; space 8–10 inches apart.

12. Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia)

• Benefits: A low-growing perennial that provides early color and ground cover.
• Planting Tips: Plant in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil; space about 8–10 inches apart.

13. Lupines (Lupinus polyphyllus)

• Benefits: Lupines add dramatic vertical interest with their tall spikes and are great for attracting pollinators.
• Planting Tips: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings in a sunny location; space about 12 inches apart.

14. Poppies (Papaver rhoeas)

• Benefits: With their vibrant, delicate blooms, poppies add a touch of wild beauty.
• Planting Tips: Sow poppy seeds directly in the garden in well-drained soil; space about 6–8 inches apart.

15. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

• Benefits: Phlox produces fragrant clusters of flowers and attracts butterflies.
• Planting Tips: Transplant phlox seedlings into the garden; space 10–12 inches apart in full sun.

16. Geraniums (Cranesbill)

• Benefits: Hardy geraniums provide a long season of blooms and work well in rock gardens or borders.
• Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade; space about 10–12 inches apart.

17. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

• Benefits: A hardy ground cover that produces small, charming blue or purple flowers, ideal for early spring.
• Planting Tips: Plant vinca as a border or ground cover; space about 8–10 inches apart in full sun to partial shade.

Integrating Your March Flower Plantings

Planning Your Garden Layout

• Interplanting:
  Combine a mix of early-blooming annuals (like pansies, primroses, and snapdragons) with perennials (such as sweet alyssum, wallflowers, and geraniums) to create continuous color throughout the season.
• Borders and Containers:
  Use lower-growing flowers like sweet alyssum, forget-me-nots, and vinca to border garden beds or fill containers, while taller varieties like lupines and snapdragons provide vertical interest.
• Spacing:
  Ensure proper spacing (typically 6–12 inches) to allow sufficient air circulation, which helps prevent disease and promotes robust growth.

Maintenance and Care Tips

• Soil Preparation:
  Amend garden beds with compost or organic matter to enhance fertility and drainage.
• Watering:
  Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to maintain consistent moisture, especially for young plants.
• Fertilization:
  Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support steady growth.
• Pest Management:
  Regularly inspect your garden for pests and remove any diseased or damaged foliage promptly.
• Deadheading:
  Remove spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season.

Top 10 Questions and Answers About What Flowers to Plant in March

1. What are the best flowers to plant in March in a UK garden?

Answer: Ideal choices include pansies, violas, primroses, sweet peas, snapdragons, calendula, dianthus, wallflowers, forget-me-nots, and sweet alyssum.

2. Can these flowers withstand the cooler March temperatures in the UK?

Answer: Yes, many of these flowers are cold-hardy and well-suited for the cool, often unpredictable weather in the UK during early spring.

3. Should I start these flowers indoors or sow them directly outdoors?

Answer: Some, like snapdragons and sweet peas, benefit from being started indoors, while hardy varieties like pansies, primroses, and calendula can be sown directly.

4. How should I prepare my garden soil in March?

Answer: Clear winter debris, amend the soil with compost, and ensure proper drainage by lightly tilling or double-digging.

5. What is the recommended spacing for early spring flowers?

Answer: Generally, space flowers 6–12 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation and prevent overcrowding.

6. How do I protect early plantings from a late frost?

Answer: Use frost cloths or old sheets to cover tender plants during unexpected cold snaps.

7. Can these flowers be grown in containers?

Answer: Yes, many of these flowers, such as pansies and sweet alyssum, thrive in containers provided they receive sufficient light and proper drainage.

8. How do I ensure continuous blooming throughout the season?

Answer: Regularly deadhead spent blooms, provide consistent care, and choose a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming varieties.

9. What watering methods are best for March plantings?

Answer: Drip irrigation or soaker hoses provide consistent moisture without overwatering, which is essential for young seedlings.

10. Do these flowers attract pollinators?

Answer: Absolutely—many of these flowers, such as sweet peas, wallflowers, and snapdragons, attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

By planting these 17 vibrant and hardy flowers in March, you’ll set the stage for a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden that blooms throughout the season. With proper planning, soil preparation, and regular care, your garden will flourish as spring unfolds. Happy planting!