Flowers that blossom in cold temperatures should be used to decorate your outside spaces. Some of these bloomers can even be started indoors before being transplanted outside.
Flowers that bloom in the winter will brighten your landscape and add a splash of color to it. Much of the country experiences a calm gardening season over the winter, so even a brief burst of blossom is a pleasant sight. In warmer climates, the list of flowers that bloom in winter includes plants that may produce blooms from December through the beginning of the spring season.
Winter pansies are all-stars when it comes to dealing with the cold. These bright and colorful winter-flowering flowers have the ability to freeze solid and then thaw, allowing them to develop and flower. Nemesia, snapdragon, sweet alyssum, and blooming stock are some of the other bedding plant blooms that bloom during the winter months. In places with milder winters, you can rely on these frost-tolerant bloomers to brighten up winter landscapes with vibrant color. In colder climates when winter preserves the landscape in a constant state of deep frost, introduce these flowers into fall containers and planting beds to provide a pop of color to the landscape.
The Lenten rose, also known as the Christmas rose (Helleborus), is a perennial flower that blooms throughout the winter months. Leathery, dark green leaves dangle like an umbrella above winter muck or snow, creating a striking visual effect. Most hybrids can endure temperatures as low as Zone 5, although the hardy Helleborus niger may withstand temperatures as low as Zone 3. The Lenten rose is a beautiful addition to a woodland garden or part shade border, where it blends in beautifully with ferns and delicious woodruff, among other plants (Galium odoratum).
Plants that bloom during Lent are repelled by deer and voles. Flowers bloom during Lent in an array of colors and shapes. Flowers can be expected in January in warmer climates; in colder climates, blooms may not appear until February or March. It is not necessary to remove old leaves until the blooms are ready to open. Those decaying leaves provide winter shelter for the delicate flower buds that emerge in the spring.
Some bulbs bloom in the winter, and they are known as winter flowering flowers. Snowdrops (Galanthus) are a genuine springtime herald, with their dainty and delicate appearance. They are scarcely larger than a dandelion, yet they valiantly push through snow and ice to bring their beautiful white bell blossoms to the yard. Zones 3 to 7 are suitable for growing these bulbs, and in Zone 6 they can begin to bloom as early as February.
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is another winter-blooming flower that develops from a bulb. It is native to the Mediterranean region. This little bulb flower, like the snowdrop, can be found among the late-winter snows, opening brilliant green leaves capped with beautiful yellow petals in the spring. The plants reach a maximum height of 6 inches. In Zone 7, this bulb blooms before the crocus, usually in February or March. Throughout Zones 3 to 7, winter aconite is a hardy plant.
When arranging flowers in the landscape that bloom in the winter, make sure they are in a visible location so that you can enjoy them. Consider the weather conditions in your region throughout the winter months. With the exception of the hottest climates, you’ll most likely spend the colder months indoors, so put winter-blooming flowers in areas where you can see them readily from inside your home.
Stack containers with annuals such as winter pansies, sweet alyssum, and nemesia at doorways and on patios to create a welcoming atmosphere. Short-blooming bulbs, such as snowdrops and winter aconite, are an excellent choice for planting beds beside sidewalks. The greatest way to appreciate taller perennials, such as the lenten rose, is to get right up and personal. They should be planted in beds where they can be seen readily, such as on the route to the garage or near the entrance that gets the most use.