Hellebores (aka Lenten Rose) because they flower early in the spring, and their flowers stay for a few months and change color during that time.

I also love Virginia Bluebells because the blossoms are so durn pretty :)

For flowering shrubs, I love lilacs. I planted four of them along the side of my house. They were maybe a foot tall when I planted them 7 years ago, and now they’re at least 10 feet tall. The blooms are so fragrant - I love opening the windows to let the scent into my house.

For annuals, lantana are one of my favorites and every year I put a bunch of them in my pots and planters. In some zones they’re perennial and invasive, but in mine they die out in autumn. They have such bright, happy flower clusters, it always makes me smile to see them :)

Gardening season is starting soon and I’m excited in case you couldn’t tell!