Flowers you need to plant now for stunning blooms in spring

Winter is well and truly here - and a cold spell is about to hit the UK for, potentially, the first snow of the festive season - many gardeners wonder what is safe and productive to plant.

During winter, most plant species are dormant to conserve energy and survive harsh conditions like cold and low light.

This resting period involves slowing or stopping growth, and for many plants, it's triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures in the fall.

During this time, many plants may lose their leaves, while their roots remain healthy and active in the soil, waiting for warmer weather.

But to have beautiful flower displays come spring, many experts actually recommend gardeners start planting their bulbs in autumn.

Here, we list some of the best spring flowers that you should be planting now, in Autumn - ideally before December.

Winter aconites

These yellow beauties start flowering in February and spread naturally if kept under the right conditions. Winter aconites thrive in sunny spots during winter, but become weak if the summer light dries their soil. Their grown versions can be bought around February and March.

Crocus

Bees kickstart their spring activities looking for nectar - and these purple, yellow and white flowers are a vital source of it, being one of the first flower species to bloom every year. Crocuses are a classic in gardens, and expert tips are to leave them to grow in a sunny spot - and to “throw the bulbs in the air and plant where they land, for a natural look”, according to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine.

Hyacinth

Hyacinths are some of the strongest-smelling blooms in the world, and come in a wide variety of colours - blue, white, pink, yellow and other pastels as well as dark purple or magenta. They are also easy to grow and thrive in indoor containers as well as outdoors.

Alliums (Ornamental Onions)

These circular-shaped flowers - colloquially called Ornamental Onions - carry one big advantage: they bloom all the way until the beginning of summer. Very easy to grow and up to 2 metres tall, Alliums look better when planted in groups.

Tulips

Classic and beautiful, tulips come in all colours and shapes, and grow in varied conditions. One disadvantage, though, is that many varieties only flower for the first year and don't come back again, so most gardeners choose to plant new bulbs each year. These plants also bloom closer to summer.

Iris

Iris reticulata (or dwarf irises) are also some of the earliest flowers to open up in Spring - as early as February - and are tiny and intricately striking. Their cousins, Dutch irises, bloom later - from late spring to early summer - and are taller and colourful. Both types work well in patio pots or borders.

Snowdrops

As their name suggests, Snowdrops are Winter-friendly - showing up as early as January each year. They thrive in moist soil and partial shade, and are tough no matter the weather. The classic variety (Galanthus nivalis) is commonly found growing under trees, even if unmanaged.

Bluebells (Hyacinthoides)

English bluebells mark the peak of spring, fully blooming around April. Bluebells take a little longer to establish, but will grow and thrive in shady gardens or under trees. They are known for their bell-like structure and arching stems, but are not just easy on the eyes - bluebells are a powerful source of nectar for pollinators.

Anemones

Another mid-spring staple, Anemones are known for their pastel shades of different colours, and look great under trees or around borders. Experts advise planting them in clusters and leaving them to grow, as they are a low-maintenance species.

Daffodils

Daffodils - also known as Narcissus - come in many different varieties that also bloom at different points of spring, and can be scented or not. An expert tip is not to tie back the foliage once flowering has finished. Gardeners are instead advised to leave them to die naturally. Narcissuses are also perennial, which means you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful garden every year with them.