As the winter frosts fade and the days get longer, it’s time to start preparing and planning your gardens for spring. If you plan ahead, you can have flowers pop up starting in these still chilly months all the way through the dog days of summer. Whether you prefer annuals to replant each year or perennials for a consistent return, these 20 bold blooms will bring you springtime cheer after this long, dark winter.

Despite needing at least six hours of sunlight a day, these annuals actually love the cold. They’ll even start blooming in the snow. Available in a range of bright hues, from purple and white to a deep crimson, these flowers will suit any color palette.

Another early bloomer, crocuses, with their bright purple petals, are best planted in individual pots because of their appeal to garden pests.

Best in small pots where you can control their moisture levels (hyacinths prefer well-drained but well-watered soil), these spring blooms provide vibrant and early color.

Another species that thrives in spring’s early, colder months is the hardy primrose. Because there are countless varieties, ask your local flower shop or hardware store which type is best suited to your geographic area.

Known for their striking orange hue, marigolds are also natural mosquito repellers. Plant in full sun with fertilized soil for the best results.

Often seen in hanging porch baskets or window boxes, petunias can also be used as spring ground cover. The best part: These vibrant flowers have a long flowering life and don’t tend to start wilting until late summer.

Ideal for late summer, heat-loving zinnias are native to the Southwestern United States. Their colorful blooms grow in large bushes and are sure to bring a smile to any gardener’s face.

Beloved by bees and gardeners alike, these bulbous perennials stand tall and look great whether cut into arrangements or left in the garden to their own devices.

A charming climber, use a fence or trellis to support these fragrant blooms. But despite liking full sun exposure best, too high temperatures will cause them to wilt, so early spring (or even starting them indoors) is best.

Spring is the ideal time to plant these late-bloomers as they prefer to flower later in summer. Available in nearly every color imaginable (reds to yellows to blues), gladiolus are perfect for adding a pop.

While most of the flowers on this list need to be planted before they bloom, hydrangeas are best when planted after they start to flower. Because of the overwhelming amount of variation, this is simply to ensure that you get the colors and types you like.

Like their name suggests, daylilies prefer total sunlight and the more sun you provide, the more golden blooms you can expect.

Blooming fully in midsummer, coneflowers are the tough cousin of the delicate daisy. These perennials are also incredibly easy to care for with minimal watering and average sunlight needs.

Needing full sun and very moist soil, Hollyhocks can be quite finicky for a first-time gardener. However, their towering, pink blooms are ample reward come spring’s transition into summer.

A rich, clovelike scent defines these annuals. Place stocks, which are available in deep jewel tones such as violent and fucshia, in containers or beds near a walkway or entrance to enjoy the fragrance all season long.

When buying lilies, maintenance drastically depends on the type—Oriental or Asiatic. The first offers large, heavily perfumed flowers that need staking to keep from falling over, while the latter appears in small, vivid blooms that are hardy on their own.

These upright flower clusters change colors from bud to bloom to end fading for a full season show. Plant in front of windows to enjoy the vibrant hues all season long—peak blooms will appear in late summer.

A beloved native plant in its namesake region, the colorful New England aster will bloom in early fall, perfect for those late-season pollinators.

An herbaceous wildflower, Monkshood (named for its striking similarity to a monk’s cloak) has made a transition into residential gardens. However it can be highly poisonous, so avoid growing around pets or children and never cut stems for bouquets.

This old-fashioned shrub produces a striking number of red flowers in summer and into the early fall months. Best flowering occurs when you provide full and bright sunlight.