The 5 Best Budget-Friendly Plants to Grow this Spring in Your Cincinnati Garden

Springtime has arrived, and along with it, the beauty of possibility. Gardens in Cincinnati come alive with vibrant color, fresh blooms, and the promise of relaxed afternoons spent outdoors. For homeowners, this is the perfect time to refresh yards with budget-friendly plants that thrive in our unique local climate. Degree Lawn & Landscape understands that an inviting garden shouldn’t stretch your budget or your schedule, and with the right plant choices, it doesn’t have to.   

These five affordable, attractive plants can transform your Cincinnati garden into the welcoming gathering space you’ve been dreaming of this spring. 

Eastern Redbud: Native Tree with Bright Blossoms and Easy Charm 

Every garden deserves a centerpiece, and the Eastern Redbud tree is a spring showstopper. As one of the best plants that grow in zone 6, this native beauty bursts into vibrant pink-purple blooms even before its leaves appear, creating a cheerful, eye-catching display that announces spring has arrived. Not only does this tree add color, but it also provides just enough shade to make your outdoor living spaces comfortable and inviting. 

[H3] Where Eastern Redbud Grows Best 

Eastern Redbuds flourish in sunny spots but will happily grow in partial shade too. Well-drained soil helps them thrive, but they're forgiving enough for almost any garden corner. Degree Lawn & Landscape carefully selects the perfect spot to let your redbud showcase its graceful branches and stunning blossoms, ensuring your tree thrives for many seasons to come. 

Serviceberry: A Beautiful, Native Tree with Sweet Surprises 

If you’d love a tree that’s both practical and pretty, the Serviceberry is your springtime hero. This charming native offers elegant clusters of white blossoms each spring, followed by berries that draw songbirds and butterflies into your yard. But the berries aren’t just for wildlife! Serviceberries are not only edible for humans but also delicious, making them a great choice for baking or enjoying fresh off the branch. Easy-going and adaptable, serviceberry trees deliver beauty and bounty without much fuss. 

Best Conditions for Serviceberry 

Serviceberry trees love sunlight but are equally comfortable in partial shade. They’ll thrive best in rich, moist, well-drained soil—think along garden paths, near patios, or as a welcoming touch near your entryway. Degree’s landscaping team takes care to plant each serviceberry tree exactly where it'll look beautiful and feel right at home. 

Creeping Phlox: A Carpet of Spring Color 

Looking for color that lasts and spreads beautifully across your garden beds? Meet creeping phlox: a charming, budget-friendly perennial that signals spring’s arrival with its vibrant blooms. These cheerful blossoms in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white brighten pathways, soften rock borders, and fill gaps in your garden effortlessly. They’re exactly what you need to create an inviting atmosphere at your home’s entry or around your favorite outdoor seating area. 

Best Spots for Creeping Phlox 

Creeping phlox adores sunlight and does best in areas with good drainage. Hillsides, slopes, or garden edges are ideal spots. Degree Lawn & Landscape carefully arranges creeping phlox, so your garden enjoys continuous color and stays beautifully neat. 

Azaleas: Lovely Blooms, Elegant Charm 

Azalea bushes bring warmth and charm to Cincinnati gardens like few other shrubs can. Known for their lush spring blooms in shades of reds, soft or bright pinks, rich purples, and even radiant white, azaleas turn ordinary yards into inviting retreats. Plus, their green leaves maintain visual interest long after the flowers fade, offering season-long beauty without high maintenance or high costs. 

Perfect Places for Azaleas 

Azaleas appreciate slightly shaded spots or areas with gentle sunlight filtering through taller trees. Soil that’s slightly acidic and well-drained makes these shrubs happy. Degree Lawn & Landscape thoughtfully plants azaleas, ensuring they're placed in cozy garden nooks where their stunning blooms can truly shine. 

Blue Vervain: Spring Perennial with Refreshing Blue-Purple Blooms 

To add an effortless kind of charming magic to your landscape, look no further than blue vervain, a perennial boasting clusters of blue-purple flowers with a relaxed, cottage-garden vibe. More than lovely blooms, blue vervain also attracts butterflies and pollinators, bringing movement and life to your garden. Many gardeners even enjoy harvesting its leaves for relaxing blue vervain tea, making it a plant you can truly savor in every sense. 

Best Conditions for Blue Vervain 

Blue vervain grows easily in full sun to partial shade and loves moist, well-drained soil. Whether near a garden pond, nestled beside a patio, or as part of a border, Degree’s landscaping experts will plant your blue vervain right where it will grow happily and brighten your garden effortlessly.