Lilacs are often the shrub that comes with the house, overgrown, with what flowers there are blooming way above nose-level. You need to whack a few of the oldest stems to the ground each year ...

The vibrant, small purple dwarf iris flowers, which do best in full sun, emerge in late winter to early spring. Top picks: The dark, rich petals of J.S. Dijit unfurl to offer spring a royal welcome.