South Texas gardeners think of mid-February as the start of “spring” for planting vegetables and many other warm-season plants. Everyone looks forward to spring wildflowers in March and April. If we are lucky, the mild spring weather lasts until May.
For full enjoyment, plant seasonal stars several months ahead of their peak blooming time.
| Redbud | Cercus canadensis |   |
 18-24 ft |
 10-15 ft |
Redbuds are small trees that go unnoticed most of the year, but then in the spring they are covered in a profusion of pink blooms before leaves arrive on most trees.
| Iris | Iris x germanica | |
 Several feet wide |
10-24 in |
Irises bloom in early spring. They can be planted under deciduous trees because they will get enough winter sunlight to bloom in the spring. Iris are easy to share with friends. Trade for different colors. Having different varieties will also extend spring iris blooms. Because some irises begin blooming later than others.
| Columbine | Aquilegia chrysanthax hinckleyana | |
18-24 in |
18-24 in |
Texas gold columbine and Blazing Star columbine are selections with enough heat tolerance to survive San Antonio summers. Their leaves and flowers are at their most beautiful in early spring. Plant in dappled sunlight under deciduous trees for best success.
| Texas Mountain Laurel | Sophora secundiflora |  |
bush or trunk |
5-15 ft |
The Texas mountain laurel is prized for its glossy evergreen leaves as well as for its ability to survive drought, pests, and heat. In early spring, larger specimens are covered with clusters of purple blooms that smell like grape candy. (Note for families: seeds contain poison.)
