Early color with yellow and red.

Here are two substantial ways to get early color in late winter and early spring. The yellow is Cornus mas or Corneliancherry Dogwood, and the pink is Ribes sanguineum or Flowering Currant. The Cornus is a small deciduous tree, sort of a specimen, and Ribes is actually a Pacific NW indigenous plant that blooms for several weeks.

Neither one really gets much for pest issues. Both are slow growing and moderate for pruning needs. Some people hedge the Ribes, but it looks outstanding when thinned and allowed to grow some height. The Corneliancherry Dogwood blooms approximately February – early March, and the Ribes March – early April.