• Jumping jack violas arrive in early spring.Pansies image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Most garden enthusiasts anticipate early spring so they can start digging in the dirt and setting out early blooming plants. Some gardeners begin plants early by sowing seeds indoors under plant lights. After the last frost, established seedlings are planted in the garden. Early spring plants arrive at gardening centers as annuals, perennials, bulbs evergreens, semi-evergreens and deciduous specimens. When purchasing plants from a local garden center, make sure they are suited to your region.
  
  

Lenten Rose

• Plant lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) for -2 to 4-inch-wide blooms in late March. This perennial plant is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on growing region, but does best in warmer climates. Flowers grow bell-shaped on branched stems up to 1 foot long in white, pink, purple, cream, light green and lavender -- often spotted with deep purple. All parts of this flower are poisonous. Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map for your region. Lenten rose needs special care when planted in colder regions.
  
  

Candy Tuft

• Candy tuft (Iberis sempervirens) grow in mounds with dense white flowers. This low-growing perennial looks attractive in any border or container as well as in rock gardens or as an edging. Shearing lightly after first bloom stimulates new growth. Candy tuft grows as an evergreen in warmer climates and is semi-evergreen in colder climates. Give candy tuft full sun to part shade.
  
  

Moss Phlox

• Moss phlox (Moss subulata), an early spring blooming perennial, flowers for several weeks in white, pink, lavender and bi-colors. This evergreen plant grows to a height of 3 to 6 inches in full sun and rich organic, well-drained soil. It's very attractive as edging, in containers or a rock garden and requires moderate watering for best results.
  
  

Dutch Crocus

• Plant Dutch crocus bulbs (Crocus spp.) for early spring blooming in February or March. Dig a hole 5 inches deep and add some time-released fertilizer to the hole with the bulb. Crocus grow 4 to 6 inches tall with cup-shaped blooms. Dutch crocus need moisture during the growing season, but they can tolerate drought conditions at other times.