Spring in Springfield: What's Blooming in March
A Guide to What's Blooming & Where to Find the Flowers Around Springfield, Missouri
Happy early spring, friends! The first official day of spring is March 19th, but we’ve already been graced by some gorgeous weather, so the flowers are among us! Do you know what’s growing when and where to find the all the flowery fun? Let’s take a look at what beauty is blooming this March in Springfield, Missouri. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the links of where to find these flowers.
As of early March, the midwest begins to burst with tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, forsythia, cherry blossoms, serviceberries and more, signaling the long awaited arrival of spring. Flower farmers and experienced gardeners start to see the fruits of their labors pop up around this time as well, with ranunculus and anemones ready to be cut soon. Continue reading below for a comprehensive list of additional flowers, bushes and trees (each one I could possibly think of! Not to say I didn’t miss a few :) to expect this month, as well as some fun information and photos. At the very end, find some of my favorite flowery resources like where the local flowers are actually located around the area and links to useful floral and gardening products I love.
What's Growing Early March through Early to Mid April
Daffodils - One of the earliest flowers to bloom, as they defy the last of winter’s chill! Some gardeners and farmers strategically plant daffodils among other flowers or crops to deter animals from grazing or damaging their gardens.
Currently available through the Missouri Flower Exchange
Crocuses - Often regarded as symbols of hope, crocuses are also among the earliest to bloom in the area, signaling the end of winter and the arrival of warmer weather. Their petals are edible– frequently used in cooking and culinary preparations.
Tulips - A tried and true fan-favorite, there are over 3,000 different varieties of tulips so it is nearly impossible to not find a few you love. Did you know that fresh cut tulips continue growing in height for sometimes several days even after being placed in a vase?
Currently available through the Missouri Flower Exchange
Hyacinth - Hyacinths are known for their strong, sweet fragrance and are often used in perfumes and essential oils. These delicate beauties have a relatively short blooming period compared to some other spring flowers, lasting on average around 1 to 2 weeks.
Grape Hyacinth - Despite their name, these blue-hued beauties are not related to true hyacinths, but are part of the lily family! They are named for their resemblance to clusters of grapes, with their densely packed, bell-shaped flowers.
Ranunculus - Ranunculus flowers are native to Asia and are prized for their intricate, rose-like blooms. Ranunculus is a genus of flowering plants in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).
Currently available through the Missouri Flower Exchange
Anemones - Beautiful flowers known for their delicate petals, Anemones are named after the Greek word for "wind" due to their delicate, windblown appearance.
Currently available through the Missouri Flower Exchange
Chinese Forget-Me-Nots - Chinese Forget-Me-Nots feature clusters of small, five-petaled flowers that range in color from shades of blue and purple to pink and white. In addition to their desirable ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, these nectar-rich flowers have a delicate, bell-like appearance.
Pansies - Pansies come in a wide range of colors and are valued for their cheerful, "faces" and long-lasting blooms. They are edible and can be used to garnish salads, desserts, and other culinary creations.
Primroses - Known for their clusters of colorful flowers and attractive foliage, primroses come in a wide range of colors, including shades of pink, purple, yellow, white, and red. They have attractive, low-growing foliage that forms rosettes of leaves.
Serviceberries - With their delicate white blossoms beginning to bloom, serviceberries signify that the soil is starting to warm and it is time for gardeners to start planting cool season vegetables and herbs! Serviceberries themselves are also edible and often used in jams, pies, and desserts. This useful foliage grows as shrubs and trees, also known as Juneberries or Saskatoon berries.
Forsythia - Forsythia bushes produce bright yellow flowers that cover the branches before the leaves emerge. In traditional Chinese medicine, forsythia is used to treat various ailments, including fever, inflammation, and infections.
Flowering Quince - Flowering quince is part of the rose family and produces beautiful, early spring blooms on a shrub or bush. The fruit of the flowering quince is edible but is usually quite tart, often used in jams and jellies.
Currently available through the Missouri Flower Exchange
Redbuds - These small trees are known for their clusters of pinkish-purple flowers that bloom in early spring.The flowers of the redbud tree are edible and can be used in salads, desserts, and beverages.
Magnolias - Magnolia trees produce large, fragrant flowers in various shades of white, pink, and purple, with Some species having large, showy flowers that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. Magnolias are suspected to be one of the oldest flowering plants, with fossils dating back over thousands of years.
Cherry Blossoms - As the national flower of Japan, these stunning trees are celebrated during the annual Hanami festival. The blossoms have a short blooming period, typically lasting only about one to two weeks, symbolizing the fleeting nature of beauty and life.
Dogwoods - Native to North America and known for their showy flowers and distinctive bark, dogwood trees provide food and habitat for various wildlife species, including birds and butterflies.
Bradford Pear - This fluffy, flowering tree is dreaded in most communities- but why? With beautiful white blooms in early spring and colorful fall foliage in later months, it’s interesting that these trees are considered an invasive nuisance. For starters, the flowers emit a strong, unpleasant odor, often described as similar to that of rotting fish. Another major reason people dislike them is for their weak branch structure. The branches tend to grow at narrow angles and are prone to splitting, especially during storms or high winds. The trees also produce numerous small, hard fruits that are readily consumed and dispersed by birds. As a result, they can spread rapidly, forming dense thickets and displacing native vegetation. Due to their invasive nature, many communities have organizations offering removal or buy back programs. Read more from the Missouri Department of Conservation below!
Missouri Department of Conservation: Do you have a Callery (Bradford) pear on your property? Sign up for Missouri Invasive Plant Council's annual buy-back event March 15 - April 15! Remove this invasive tree from your property and receive a FREE, native tree to replace it! Learn more online at https://moinvasives.org/2024/01/12/callery-pear-buyback-2024/?fbclid=IwAR0EfIawZL1Lo1qHuFW_m-eackB-pDOdM0mVF2IEpVC8TxRplxRT9xR3MRk
Enjoy the Beauty!
Fortunately, here in the 417 we are in a wonderful community full of amazing local flowers and resources. Take a walk at one of the several stunning gardens around the city, enjoy a “You Pick” flower farm experience, or support small local businesses by strolling their greenhouses and nurseries. In addition to enjoying all the community has to offer visually, it is easy to get involved with local gardening groups, volunteer at our community gardens, attend workshops or participate in internships to expand your education and meet fellow garden enthusiasts. Details and links to all of this listed below!
Where to find local flowers around Springfield, Missouri:
For enjoyment and education visit…
Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
For flower farms, gardens and greenhouses you can purchase from (or also just enjoy) visit/contact…
LINKS to floral and garden products I LOVE:
Floral Clippers I always keep these in my car incase I find some flowers I can forage! Always double check to make sure they aren't someone's private property :)
Gardening Shears/Heavy Duty Bunch Cutters - These are ideal for thicker/woody stems.
3.5 Gallon Buckets These are the ideal size for shorter stemmed cut flowers like ranunculus, tulips, anemones, daffodils, etc.
5 Gallon Bucket These are ideal for longer stemmed flowers like stock, snapdragon, larkspur, roses, branches and greenery of any kind.
Fresh Flower Preservation - Spray on flowers after cut to keep moisture in flower petals, extending their life and vibrancy-- it really works. I use it all the time.
Flower Hydration Treatment - Dip freshly cut stems into this solution immediately after a fresh trim to provide instant hydration, maximum solution uptake and nutrient retention-- kind of like electrolytes for flowers? I use it 24/7 and I've seen it revive dying stems!
The best, puncture proof Gardening Gloves
The most functional Gardening Apron
LINKS to my SPRING ESSENTIALS:
Floral Rainboots I am obsessed with.
The prettiest Spring Kitchen Apron
...and coordinating Kitchen Hand Towels!!
My FAVORITE Floral Sweater Set It is seriously the softest, prettiest material!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you use my recommended links to purchase products, I receive a percentage of commissions! I will never recommend products simply to sell, I will always recommend products I love/want and products I use. Thank you!
Some of my favorite general resources on local flowers and gardening:
Missouri Flower Exchange
Rooted Farmers
Missouri Dept of Conservation
Master Gardeners of Greene County
Christian County Master Gardeners
Missouri Invasive Plant Council
Resources for this blog post:
Better Homes and Gardens https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/trees/bradford-pear-tree/
Springfield News Leader https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2022/04/18/bradford-pears-continue-plague-missouri-mdc-offers-free-replacements/7356285001/?fbclid=IwAR1EItCk6E3RvJiwiIXZsRoh8zn9NEGJGu4Ph5lQ5TRdAIb3Ylawu7iJpHU
Missouri Invasive Plant Council https://moinvasives.org/?fbclid=IwAR2oCfQAIKC-f5jU1HxoexXO2eQXfr33YlkqW1Saiy2Boq4AOkQjOsQa-5w
Missouri Dept of Conservation https://mdc.mo.gov/?fbclid=IwAR1KfZQSlHjquvF5yVnG77XXg3jIKWRk0bl9tVov-S8BUBQd_so9H2ZJ9hs
Springfield CVB https://www.springfieldmo.org/blog/post/you-pick-flower-farms-in-southwest-missouri/
417 Magazine https://www.417mag.com/outdoors/gardening/self-guided-garden-tour-springfield-mo/
Floret Flowers https://library.floretflowers.com/
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