Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs for California Gardens

After winter's gray, spring's floral explosion renews the garden. California's climate supports a dazzling palette of early bloomers — here are the stars.

Flowering Fruit Trees (Prunus & Relatives)

• Flowering peaches: Double red, rose pink, white. Profuse bloom; great cut sprays.
• Flowering cherries: 'Kwanzan' (deep pink), 'Mt. Fuji' (light pink). Spectacular clouds.
• Flowering crabapples: Small, symmetrical. 'Bechtel' (double rose) and deeper cultivars.
• Flowering plums/thorns: Early, airy blooms.

Deciduous Flowering Shrubs

• Flowering quince (Chaenomeles): First to bloom. Apple-blossom pink, rosy red, or white. Every twig loaded.
• Forsythia: Golden yellow masses at first warmth. Medium growth.
• Flowering almond: Twigs cloaked in pink double flowers for 2–3 weeks. Excellent cut flowers.
• Weigela: Late spring. Huge clusters of red/waxy pink tubes against deep green. 'Red Prince', 'Bristol Ruby' — exceptionally showy.

Every yard has room for at least one; every shrub border deserves several. Visit your local nursery now — spring selection peaks early.