All the twitter about the first signs of spring from southern gardeners makes me antsy for spring. While I was walking my dog, I checked forsythias, examined dogwoods, and peered for crocuses. Nary a sign, despite two whole day of sunny 9 degree Celsius (48F) weather. For most northern gardeners, March is a month of anticipation, not participation.

But that got me thinking, what are the first signs of spring? Well, for Canadians, plants play a big part in heralding spring. Here are top ten signs of a northern spring:

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)

Crocuses

Witch hazels blooming (Hamamelis virginiana)

Cheerful yellow Forsythia flowers

Hepatica (wildflowers)

Dwarf iris,

Cheerful yellow & purple of Iris reticulata

Squills (Scilla spp.)

Winter aconite (Eranthis)

Snowflake (Leucojum vernum)

Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)

What are your first signs of spring?