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Spring in Springfield: What's Blooming in April

A Guide to What's Blooming & Where to Find the Flowers Around Springfield, Missouri


Happy official spring, friends! April is upon us, and along with it comes an abundance of beautiful blooms. Do you know what’s growing when and where to find the all the flowery fun? Let’s take a look at what fresh flowers are popping up this April in Springfield, Missouri. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the links of where to find these flowers.


Young woman holding an armful of flowers taking a photo in the mirror ina flower shop, showcasing brightly colored tulips and ranunculus
Holding a wrapped bouquet full of spring flowers last April

As March comes to a close, we will see the remains of many spring staples such as tulips, ranunculus, and anemones continue to flourish, while others already begin to say goodbye (hyacinths and cherry blossoms). April will allow us to enjoy some new fragrant friends like lilacs, viburnum, sweet peas and possibly peonies (if they're early bloomers). 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 spring, 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 April through Early to Mid May


Stock Flower - Stock flowers are members of the Brassicaceae family, which includes plants like mustard, broccoli, cabbage and kale! The blooms are edible and they're are also known as Matthiola or gilly flower, named after their pleasant fragrance which is reminiscent of cloves or cinnamon.

Photo by Floret Flowers

Sweet Peas - Sweet peas are renowned for their many delightful features such as a sweet fragrance, vining nature and edibility. These flowers come in a wide range of colors, including shades of pink, purple, red, white, and blue. They are climbing plants that produce long, slender vines and can reach vertical heights of up to 6 to 8 feet or more.


Snapdragon - Snapdragon flowers belong to the genus Antirrhinum and derive their name from their resemblance to a dragon's face when the sides of the blooms are squeezed. They are popular among pollinators such as bees and butterflies for their tubular-shaped flowers which provide a convenient landing platform for the insects, allowing them to access the nectar within the blooms.


Agrostemma - Commonly known as Corn Cockle, is a wildflower native to Europe and Asia. Its name comes from its tendency to grow as a weed in cornfields. They are toxic if ingested and should be handled with care.


Helleborus - Hellebores are early-blooming perennial flowers native to Europe and Asia. They are known for their ability to bloom even in the snow, often flowering during the Lenten season hence their common name. Some varieties of Hellebores are toxic if ingested.


Hosta - Hostas are shade-loving perennial plants native to Asia. They are relatively pest and disease resistant and require minimal watering once established, making them a popular choice among beginning gardeners. While the flowers are often attractive to pollinators, some species of hostas are toxic to pets if ingested.


Lace Orlaya - An annual flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. Named for its delicate, lacy white flowers, this plant adds an elegant touch to garden borders and flower beds and is a favorite amongst florists for its unique texture.


Allium Photo by Longfield Gardens

Allium (Ornamental Onion) - Beloved for their spherical flower heads and onion-like scent, Allium are a large genus within the Amaryllidaceae family, comprising over 700 species, including onions, garlic, chives, and ornamental varieties. While they are not typically consumed due to their strong flavor, they are not considered toxic to humans or pets. Allium flowers are prized for their long-lasting blooms, which often persist for several weeks in the garden or as cut flowers in arrangements and even dry beautifully- maintaining their color and shape when well cared for.


Larkspur - Part of the Delphinium genus, larkspur gets its name from the unique shape of its flower spikes, resembling the spur of a lark's foot. This nectar rich flower blooms in a wide range of colors, including shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, attracting and feeding several polinator populations. I love the shape and height of this flower, as well as how long it lasts in a vase (I've had some last over two weeks!)


Nigella - Commonly known as Love-In-A-Mist, nigella is an annual flowering plant native to southern Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia. Its name comes from the intricate, fern-like foliage that surrounds its flowers, creating a mist-like appearance.


Lily - Named after the genus Lilium, lilies come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them popular garden plants and cut flowers. While they are not typically consumed as food, some species of lilies are toxic to cats if ingested.


Chinese Forget-Me-Nots - These flowers get their name from their ability to self-seed and appear year after year, ensuring they are not forgotten. While they have a similar appearance to true forget-me-nots, they belong to a different botanical family.

Beautiful deep violet iris blooming in our backyard in the spring time
Iris Photo by Lauren Lindsay Ward

Iris - Irises are hardy perennials that are easy to grow and maintain. Some species of irises have edible or medicinal properties and the rhizomes of certain iris species, such as Iris pallida, are used to flavor and scent gin. 


Viburnum - Also known as “Snowball Bush”, produces fragrant flowers often described as sweet, spicy, or musky smelling and attract pollinators.


Crabapples - Crabapple trees bear clusters of colorful flowers ranging from white to pink to red. They are part of the apple family and produce small, tart fruits that are often used in jams and jellies.


Lilacs - Lilac bushes are known for their fragrant clusters of flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white. In the language of flowers, lilacs symbolize love, innocence, and purity.


Azaleas - Azalea bushes produce vibrant clusters of flowers in various colors, including pink, red, purple, and white. They are part of the rhododendron family and are known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. They are often used in landscaping and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.


Spirea Photo by Lauren Lindsay Ward

Spirea - A lovely flowering shrub, including over 80 different species, known for their clusters of small, delicate flowers and are often used in landscaping for their ornamental value. I think these beautiful branches are very feminine and bridal looking.


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…

For flower farms, gardens and greenhouses you can purchase from (or also just enjoy) visit/contact…


LINKS to floral and garden products I LOVE:


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! Technically, it's a PJ set, but I wear it out and always get compliments.

  • Our new Propane Grill. We've been using this literally every day that the sun is out! It's so easy to use.

  • The best Bose Bluetooth Speaker. Everyone needs at least one of these. Perfect for patio tunes or tossing in a bag to take with you wherever you go, we use ours every day.

  • The best, puncture proof Gardening Gloves 

  • The most functional Gardening Apron 

  • My favorite Camera Lens! I use my 50mm 1.2 for almost everything, it is simply the best, but it's especially ideal for all the flower photos I like to snap in the spring.

  • The Best Hammock Ever. It's comfy, it's cute, it fits two people- it's my favorite purchase so far this year.

  • The Spring Colored Stanley Cup I love. I have a few other Stanleys and tumblers, but this one tops them all. It's the perfect size (IMO), the color is amazing and most importantly I love the straw that flips shut. I have had traumatic experiences with my other tumblers where bugs have gotten in them through the opening or straw and yes, I did suck them up. EW. Never again with this one!


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:


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