Spring planter ideas to transform your yard – 7 colorful and impactful ways to kickstart the growing season

The best spring planter ideas say goodbye to winter and herald the start of the growing season. Whether it's a large planter of tulips or a small pot of crocus on the garden table, it doesn't have to be complicated to add impact to your yard.

If you forgot to plant bulbs in the fall, it's not a problem as you can pick up instant spring blooms at the garden store now. In many ways, it's easier to do this as you don't have to visualize your design because the plants are right in front of you to play around with.

Here, we share seven spring planter ideas that will give your yard a spring garden makeover. Just make sure you position your planters where you can see them for maximum enjoyment in your yard.

Add some seasonal cheer with these spring planter ideas

As the days get longer, the temperatures begin to rise and the snow melts away, it’s time to start thinking about your container gardening ideas for spring. For most of us, it's the first real opportunity to get out in the yard for some proper gardening time.

'What better way to spruce up your outdoor space than with a planter full of lush blooms and foliage,' says Lina Cowley of Trimmedroots. 'Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned green thumb, there are plenty of options to choose from for spring container planting.'

1. Create a painterly display for spring

This is one of the spring container ideas we love most as it keeps on giving. The idea is to layer up different spring bulbs or plants to keep the color coming for up to a couple of months. Often labeled a 'bulb lasagne', you want to mix different larger bulbs of complementary colors, such as yellow tulips and daffodils, with smaller bulbs, like blue muscari, that do not need to be planted very deeply.

The first to emerge are pretty blue scilla and dwarf narcissus bulbs. These are followed by scented hyacinths, then once spring fully arrives, we are plunged into the delights of tulip season. Pale cream and pink displays work well, but so too do maximalist orange and reds.

Lina Cowley

Lina Cowley, a Master Botanist and Senior Editor at Trimmed Roots, has a wealth of plant knowledge. Her deep-rooted passion for plants and extensive knowledge of botany have made her a trusted authority in the gardening community.

2. Opt for heavenly hyacinths

While hyacinths are great mixers in spring containers they're not afraid to star as the solo act either. Spring isn't the same without their scent, so if you're planting hyacinth bulbs in a seasonal container, be sure to position them where you can most enjoy the fragrance, near the patio or alongside the garden path. Hyacinth bulbs are available from Amazon.

'Hyacinths are excellent spring bulbs to include in a container for their delicious wafting fragrance,' says plant expert Jenny Rose Carey, former professor in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Temple University, Philadelphia.

'Colors range from the traditional light blue, powder pink and white to bright pink, purple, coral and lilac. Their bell-shaped individual flowers are densely arranged up their stems in a column. Try fancy double flowers for a full look.'

Jenny Rose Carey

Jenny is a renowned gardener, educator, historian, and author. She is also the former senior director at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown. She previously worked at Temple University for over a decade, first as an adjunct professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and then as director of the Ambler Arboretum.

3. Go for double daffodils

Daffodils are one of the ubiquitous blooms of spring, with an incredible range of colors and shapes to choose from. I'm a big fan of planting daffodil bulbs like the long-lasting double-flowered varieties of 'Yellow Cheerfulness' and 'Double Pam' as I love their frilly, clustered petals.

They are an excellent choice for a spring planter as you can also keep the daffodil show going for months, plus many varieties are sweetly fragrant too.

'With careful cultivar choice, you can have a series of narcissus in flower from early through to late spring,' says Jenny Rose Cary.

4. Combine bold colors in one container

If you like the more-is-more look, opt for bold colors for your spring planters. Use bright and brilliant spring flowering plants of one color or complementary shades to create an eye-catching look. Deep pink and yellow is a standout color combination, as seen here, planted in alternating blocks like this design for a flamboyant aesthetic.

If you love tulips as I do, look out for a mix of early, mid-season and late varieties to layer into planters and you will get blooms for months. If you choose a co-ordinating color scheme it doesn't matter if some pop up before others have finished blooming as they will all look lovely together.

5. Keep it simple with tiny treasures

Crocuses push up through the soil early in the year and are often the first spring flowers we see. They really help lift the winter blues if you plant them up in pots on windowsills or other spots close to the house.

The delicate cup-shaped blooms look best potted up on their own so they don't get dwarfed by bigger bulbs. Rich yellow crocus like these from Amazon pair well with the warm tones of terracotta pots.

Adding a layer of moss creates a mini-woodland effect and helps the soil retain moisture too, one of many tips on how to plant crocus bulbs to make an impact.

6. Use a mix of spring thrillers and spillers

It's good to follow the thriller, filler and spiller format for a spring planter to get a professional-looking result. All this means is that you add height with some taller plants, fill in the heart of the planter with some medium-sized species so there are no gaps, and soften the edges with trailing plants.

This planter idea features narcissus flowers of two heights to cover the thriller and filler categories, as well as some ivy and pretty blue periwinkle to tick the spiller box.

Periwinkle plants are available from Amazon.

7. Choose one color for your spring display

Sometimes, less is more. Stick with one color and use it throughout your space. While this approach is slightly restrictive, when done well it looks incredibly sleek and modern.

Take this muscari, or grape hyacinths as they are also known. These dense flowering blue beauties can really hold their own as the star of the show. Use big and small pots, and grow them at different heights in different parts of the yard.

One of my favorites is the light powder blue cultivar 'Valerie Finnis', as sold on Amazon . This variety also has a subtle and delightful fragrance, so make sure you place one pot atop the garden table.

FAQs

What are the best native plants for a spring planter?

There are lots of native perennials that would work well in spring planters. Try growing the wild Columbine, or Aquilegia canadensis, which has contrasting red and yellow flowers and would make a colorful addition. In addition, wild geraniums, or Geranium maculatum, have delicate pale pink blooms and attractive green foliage. While typically grown in woodland beds, these could elevate container displays.

Whatever spring planter ideas you decide on, always remember to water your containers. Deep watering once per week is important, particularly as the temperature rises. Sticking to a watering schedule will keep your pots looking lush, green and healthy, and will also prolong flowering.

For more planting inspiration, see our guide to fragrant bulbs, to add a sensory element to your yard this year.