Top Ten Plants April 2026

One of the best things about this fast-growing clematis is that it is evergreen. Its early spring, creamy-white flowers are also scented. That makes it ideal for year-round interest in April 2026 gardens. Plant it near the front door to maximise the scent. Clematis grows best when its roots are kept cool. Bury it deeply when planting. Then mulch the soil or place a flat stone over the surface.

• Flowers from March to April
• Hardy
• Grows to 500cm tall and 300cm wide
• Fertile, well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun
• Exposed

Plant breeders have introduced many exciting perennial wallflower cultivars in recent years. These include the Artist Series. ‘Artists Paintbox’ is neat and compact, with multicoloured flowers in pink, purple, orange, and yellow. As a bonus, the flowers are scented too. Although classed as perennial, wallflowers are often short-lived. They are still well worth growing in April 2026 containers and borders. Their brightly coloured flowers repeat for weeks on end.

• Flowers from April to July
• Hardy
• Grows to 30cm tall and 30cm wide
• Fertile, well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun
• Exposed

There are many different Daphne cultivars to choose from. ‘Eternal Fragrance’ is a compact, evergreen cultivar, packed with scent. It suits garden borders or containers, including terracotta pots. Choose a sheltered spot and avoid disturbing the roots once planted.

• Flowers from April to May
• Hardy
• Grows to 90cm tall and 90cm wide
• Fertile, well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun
• Exposed

Bright, lime-green to yellow flowers appear in early spring and last well into late summer. They contrast beautifully with the dark green-purple leaves. The foliage deepens further in colour when temperatures are low.

• Flowers March to July
• Hardy
• Grows to 60cm tall and 60cm wide
• Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun
• Exposed

This compact, white-flowered evergreen perennial is perfect for ground cover in sun or part shade. What’s more, it can flower for up to six months each year. It is low-maintenance and thrives in most soil types. It looks especially fresh in April 2026 planting schemes.

• Flowers from April to September
• Hardy
• Grows to 10cm tall and 50cm wide
• Most well-drained soil types
• Full sun or part shade
• Exposed

Once considered old-fashioned, Elephant Ears are enjoying a well-deserved revival. They have large, oval, glossy leaves and cope with many different soil types. They also come in a range of flower colours. ‘Abendglut’ produces vivid magenta flowers on narrow, thick stems in spring. The dark green leaves also turn a bright maroon in winter. Plant in groups to edge borders, line pathways, or create ground cover.

• Flowers from April to June
• Hardy
• Grows to 30cm tall and 60cm wide
• Fertile, well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun or part shade
• Exposed

This early-flowering perennial deserves to be more widely grown. Plant it in groups near the front of a shady border. That helps you appreciate its sprays of dainty, rose-pink, heart-shaped flowers in late spring. It is one of the earliest perennials to flower in April 2026 gardens. It can also grow in full sun if the soil stays reliably moist.

• Flowers from April to May
• Hardy
• Grows to 120cm tall and 50cm wide
• Fertile, well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun light shade
• Exposed

This fast-growing, mound-forming perennial has stunning silver leaves, boldly marked with dark green veins. It is perfect for brightening a shady area in April 2026. From mid to late spring, it is covered in clusters of dainty baby-blue flowers.

• Flowers from March to April
• Hardy
• Grows to 100cm tall and 50cm wide
• Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Light to full shade
• Exposed

It is perfect ground cover for a lightly shaded area. The light-green leaves develop a handsome bronze flush as they mature. At this time of year, they carry dainty sprays of small, lilac-purple flowers on tall, wiry stems.

• Flowers from April to May
• Hardy
• Grows to 25cm tall and 30cm wide
• Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Full sun
• Exposed

Hellebores are reliable, late winter to spring-flowering plants with blooms in many different colours. ‘Dark and Handsome’ is a low-maintenance, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with deep purple double flowers. These flowers beautifully highlight the yellow stamens at the centre. It grows best in part shade and shines in April 2026 gardens.

• Flowers from February to April
• Hardy
• Grows to 350cm tall and 350cm wide
• Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Light to full shade
• Exposed