Flowering shrubs are among the earliest and most vivid signs of spring. But just because their timing is predictable doesn’t mean their appearance has to be. Several new varieties of spring shrubs are giving old favorites a new look.

With guidance from Chris Dawson, master gardener and host of Home & Garden Television’s “The Seasoned Gardener,” here are some standouts for this year:

Even the robins might do a double-take at the sight of white forsythia. Although not a true forsythia, Abeliophyllum distichum blooms in March from purple buds, producing arching branches up to five feet tall and four feet wide (hardy to Zone 4). A native of Korea, it does well as a border and complements the traditional yellow forsythia.

“Gold Tide” forsythia (Forsythia x ‘Courtasol’) is an eye-catching dwarf version of the common variety of forsythia. It grows only about 2 feet high and 4 feet wide, with abundant lemon-yellow flowers. Because of its compact size, this French native is great as groundcover or on hillsides.

Azaleas, another perennial favorite, already come in a wide range of colors. But Robert Lee of Independence, La., has bred a line of azaleas that bloom in both spring and fall. Marketed by Flowerwood Nursery in Mobile, Ala., the Encore line of reblooming azaleas is hardy to Zone 7 and comes in six colors.

Also new is the Endless Summer hydrangea, developed by Bailey Nurseries of St. Paul, Minn. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’ blooms on both new and old wood all season long. It’s hardy to Zone 4 and is especially mildew resistant.

Allergy sufferers who like to sniff without sneezing will like the new Canary Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Canary’). These shrubs _ relatives of the honeysuckle family _ bloom from April to June with trumpet-shaped, butter-yellow flowers and dark green leaves. They grow 4 to 5 feet high and are good for Zones 4-8.

Finding these new varieties should be no problem, Dawson says. Although high-end catalogs are often the first to feature new plants, larger retail stores soon follow suit. However, some innovative plants sell out early.

“If you see and you like it, grab it,” he says.

Mail-order plants are often still dormant upon delivery, but Dawson recommends checking for moist, intact roots as a sign of good health. Garden centers offer more full-grown, leafed-out specimens that offer a better indication of their mature appearance than a catalog picture might.

As for when to plant, Dawson says, “If you can get a shovel in the ground, you can plant.”

Container shrubs are usually pretty hardy and can be planted as long as the ground is no longer frozen. They should be given a slow-release fertilizer to get them going.

To ensure abundant blooms for the following year, Dawson reminds gardeners to prune spring shrubs within a month after flowering. Waiting too late to prune will only stunt critical growth, and with showy shrubs like these, you wouldn’t want to waste a single wisp.