Spring flowers identification guide

Use this guide to help identify flowers in bloom in the early part of the year.

Learning objectives 

  • Explore nature in the local environment 
  • Identify and name common spring flowers, as well as their characteristics and habitats 
  • Develop observational skills 

Curriculum links 

  • Science: Plant identification, seasons, lifecycles, pollination, and biodiversity 
  • Geography: Exploring local environments and habitats 
  • Art & Design: Observational drawing and flower-inspired artwork 

Key vocabulary

Spring | Seasons | Petal | Habitat | Bulb | Buds 

Spring flower guide

Spring brings longer days, warmer weather, and bursts of colour everywhere. Here are some popular spring flowers to look out for in your school grounds or local area.

Allium

These tall, purple, globe-shaped flowers look great in flower beds or pots. Pollinators love them, and they make fantastic cut flowers!

Anemone

Found in shades of white, pink, red, or blue, woodland varieties (with daisy-like petals) love shade, while Mediterranean ones (more buttercup-like) prefer sunshine.


Apple blossom

Apple trees look beautiful in full bloom. Pink buds open up to lovely white flowers, which bees love too! 

Bluebell

Native English bluebells have deep violet-blue flowers with petals that curl at the end. Spanish bluebells stand straighter with lighter blue petals.


Cherry blossom

A great choice for smaller gardens as there are many varieties that don’t grow too tall. The flowers are found in shades of white and pink and are loved by bees.

Crocus

One of the first flowers to appear in the growing year, crocuses have goblet-shaped blooms in white, yellow, lilac, or purple.


Daffodil

A spring favourite, daffodils are mostly yellow but also found in cream and white. Plant in autumn for spring blooms.

Forget-me-not

Tiny blue flowers often found in pots, borders, and along paths. They can be easily grown from seed and sown direct in May or June to produce flowers the following year.


Grape hyacinth

Small, bright flowers in blue, purple, white, or pink, perfect for pots and flower beds. They go well with daffodils, crocuses and pansies.

Hyacinth

Known for their strong floral scent, hyacinths grow well indoors as well as outdoors in pots or flower beds. They can be found in white, pink, purple, blue, red, yellow and orange.


Iris

Growing irises from bulbs is easy and will provide some early colour in the garden. They grow well in pots and come in yellow, blue and white.

Magnolia

A popular tree with their eye-catching goblet, bowl or star-shaped flowers, usually in pink or white. Small varieties can be grown in smaller spaces or even in containers.


Pansy

Pansies come in a big range of bright colours including blues, purples, reds and yellows. They are easy to grow and are perfect for planting in pots and containers.

Primrose

Hardy little yellow plants will grow well in flower beds and pots, and can often be found in woodlands. They are also a source of nectar for butterflies.


Snowdrop

Easily identified by their distinctive white, bell-shaped flowers. They start appearing in the winter and will stick around until March.

Tulip

A popular spring flower in a variety of bright colours and flower forms. Bulbs can be planted in autumn ready to flower in spring and are perfect for pots and cut-flower displays.

Top tips

  • Use spring flowers as the inspiration for art, poetry or photography 
  • Press spring flowers found in your school grounds to create a catalogue of herbarium specimens, which can be kept as a library for years to come

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