EARLY SPRING CARE FOR FLOWERING TREES & SHRUBS

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Trees and shrubs that bloom in early spring are some of the most delightful. Their beautiful blossoms are some of the first pops of color in our yards every year in Indianapolis, and we look forward to them so much. They let us breathe a sigh of relief that winter is well and truly over when we finally see those first blooms.

There are a few things we can do to keep our early flowering trees and shrubs healthy and encourage them to grow loads of beautiful blooms every spring. 

ORNAMENTAL FLOWERING CHERRY TREE

Bloom Time	Full of dreamy blossoms for a few short weeks at the beginning of spring
Light Needs	Full sun
Soil Needs	Well-draining soil
Shelter Needs	Protect from strong winds
Pruning	Prune immediately after they finish flowering to thin out branches for better air and light circulation, also remove crowded, crossed, damaged, or weak branches
Watering	Should only need watering for the first year or two until established, or in case of a drought.
Fertilizing	Don’t fertilize until the tree has been in its spot for 2 years. Apply quick-release fertilizer in early spring, while the tree is still dormant. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in fall, after leaves have dropped.
Mulching	A layer of mulch 3 feet in diameter from the base of the tree, will help to maintain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

EARLY BLOOMING AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS

Bloom Time	Masses of vibrantly colored blooms in early Spring
Light Needs	A little bit of sun and a little bit of dappled afternoon shade
Soil Needs	Slightly acidic and well-drained, should be planted shallowly
Shelter Needs	Should be sheltered from strong winds
Pruning	Prune for shape as soon as it finishes flowering
Watering	Not drought-tolerant, but they also don’t like damp soil
Fertilizing	Use a fertilizer for acid-loving plants in the spring, but be conservative, they don’t need much
Mulching	Heavy mulch over the roots all year is recommended, but extra should be added in the fall to protect them through the winter.

EARLY BLOOMING FORSYTHIA

Bloom Time	Bursting with bright yellow blossoms in early spring
Light Needs	Full sun, at least 6 hours per day, or blooming may be reduced.
Soil Needs	Quite hardy and will tolerate average to poor soil as long as it drains well.
Shelter Needs	This shrub makes an excellent shelter source, and can be used for screening and windbreaks.
Pruning	Prune for shape, right after they finish blooming
Watering	Need to be watered regularly. If you’re not getting regular rain, they should have about 2 inches of water per week
Fertilizing	Fertilize every 2-3 months in spring and summer, do not fertilize in fall in and winter
Mulching	A layer of mulch helps to retain moisture.

EASTERN REDBUD

Bloom Time	Loaded with brilliant prink blossoms in early spring before they leaf out
Light Needs	happiest in full sun but can tolerate some dappled shade
Soil Needs	Not picky about soil, but do best in a location with moist, but well-draining soil
Shelter Needs	Shelter isn't necessarily required, but Eastern redbud is naturally an understory species and will thrive best in sheltered settings.
Pruning	Prune immediately after flowering to remove weak, crossed, or crowded limbs. Older redbuds are more susceptible to fungal infections, early identification is the most effective treatment.
Watering	Need to be watered more regularly in full sun, can tolerate short periods of drought
Fertilizing	No need! They grow well in most soils without needing additional fertilizer.
Mulching	A layer of mulch, spread to a 3-4’ diameter, will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

SERVICEBERRIES (SHRUB OR TREE)

Bloom Time	Mid-Spring
Light Needs	Full sun will deliver the best blossoms and fruit
Soil Needs	Not too picky about soil but does best with good drainage and evenly moist soil
Shelter Needs	Shelter isn't required, but serviceberries are naturally an understory species and will thrive best in sheltered settings.
Pruning	Prune in late winter or early spring, before new leaves appear. Remove crossed branches, dead wood, or diseased limbs. Keep an eye out for pests and disease symptoms, they can be susceptible to the same problems as roses.
Watering	Should only need extra watering until the shrub or tree is well established.
Fertilizing	Fertilize lightly in spring
Mulching	A layer of mulch applied in spring will help retain moisture and control soil temperature.

FLOWERING ALMOND

Bloom Time	Smothered in beautiful pink blossoms in the spring
Light Needs	Full sun
Soil Needs	Tolerant of various soil conditions, though flowering may be diminished in extremely dry or wet conditions
Shelter Needs	Benefits from a nearby windbreak.
Pruning	Prune in late spring, right after it finishes blooming. Dead branches can be cut right back to the ground, live branches can be pruned back to manage shape. Pruning will often encourage better flowering the following year. Watch for diseases like black knot, cankers, and leaf spot. Flowering Almond can also be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites, and scale.
Watering	Should only need extra watering in its first full growing season
Fertilizing	Apply a dose of balanced fertilizer in early spring and fall.
Mulching	A 2-inch layer of mulch helps to protect roots

LILACS (SHRUB OR TREE)

Bloom Time	Easy-care spring bloomer
Light Needs	Full sun, at least 6 hours per day
Soil Needs	Rich, well-drained soil
Shelter Needs	Like forsythia, lilacs make an excellent shelter source, and can be used for screening and windbreaks.
Pruning	Prune immediately after they flower, remove suckers, and prune for overall shape. If you have an old lilac that’s in rough shape, you can remove up to half of the old wood in one year, then the remaining old wood in the second year. This may limit blooms for 2 seasons but will promote rejuvenation and better blooming in year 3.
Watering	When first planted Lilacs will need regular watering, but once established they shouldn’t need extra water. They do not like wet feet.
Fertilizing	They don’t need fertilizer. In fact, Lilacs may refuse to bloom if they are overfertilized.
Mulching	Mulch helps to retain moisture and regulate soil temperatures.

We’ve got so many options for early flowering shrubs and trees here in Indiana. If you’d like to add one or two to your yard this year, stop by our garden center for a visit. We can help you choose the perfect option for your location.