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When you think of winter, you probably think of bare branches, strong winds, and shorter-than-usual days. It's all so common that we're willing to bet that the last thing you associate with this cold season is winter flowers and caramel berries. However, some flowers and shrubs grow stronger as the temperature drops. You don't have to say goodbye to the garden until it warms up.
Because unlike spring and summer planting, you can't plant new seeds in the middle of the season and expect them to grow when everything else is unavailable. "Winter gardening is all about planning," explains Brian Clayton, landscape expert and CEO of GreenPal. "Put the bulbs and seeds down at the right time and the color will explode when everything else is inactive."
Note: According to Clayton, the key to successful winter gardening is understanding what works in your area. That means it's important to know what kind of winter weather you can expect in your area. "Choose flowers for your climate and you'll have a garden that defies the gloom of winter," she adds.
Meet the experts: Brian Clayton, landscape design expert and CEO of Greenpal; Sara Abbas, owner of Sara Mairead Landscape Design, co-founder and executive board member of the Northport Native Garden Initiative
Below, you'll find the best winter flowers to brighten up your frosty garden, including annuals and perennials that return year after year.
Camellias
Clayton says these beauties are perfect for winter colors. "They like mild winters, so they're perfect for the southeastern United States," he explains, adding that they're also famous for southern humidity in the winter. "Plant them in partial shade and well-drained soil." Best of all, you'll get a lot of use out of these plants because they bloom in late fall and can bloom in early spring.
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Cyclamen
If you live somewhere with mild winters, you can bring the beauty of this houseplant into your garden where you and wildlife can enjoy the splendor. Grown in USDA hardiness zones six through eight, these plants prefer partial shade and will go dormant during the hottest summer months.
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Winter berries
According to Sara Abbas, owner of Sara Mairead Landscaping and co-founder and executive board member of the Northport Native Garden Initiative, this shrub's berries are a late-season food source for birds.
"You'll want to plant it in the spring or fall, and expect it to take one to three years to establish consistent berry production," he explains, adding that the plant must be both male and female to produce berries. Then you want to plant them in pairs.
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Pieris
This beautiful plant has delicate bell-shaped flowers that can be grown in a variety of colors, including shades of white, pink and red. Plant the seeds in a well-drained location that receives full sun in colder climates and partial shade in warmer regions.
This evergreen tree will be visually appealing during the summer months with its bright green leaves and transition to flower production in late winter.
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A red branch of a dogwood
Although red-twig dogwood doesn't have winter flowers, Abbas says it should definitely be on our list because of the stunning color in the garden. "Once the red branch of the dogwood has dropped its leaves, you'll see the stems turn bright red," he explains. "They're great for spring planting, so you can make good use of their flowers during the winter months when the stems are spotted in the garden."
If your yard doesn't have a lot of room to add a tree, Abbas says you can opt for a smaller option. ``Arctic Fire'' is a dwarf variety that is smaller than conventional varieties and may be more suitable for residential landscapes.” According to Abbas, the small planting mass provides rich color, especially with late frosts, making it a great choice for those who miss the bright colors of spring and summer.
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Mahogany leather
Looking for deep purples and blues this winter? Check out this Oregon reptile. This shrub can grow up to six feet tall and produces decorative berries that will attract all the critters in your garden. Plant it in a sunny spot and water this bush abundantly and you can see it blooming all winter long.
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Winter jasmine
If you live in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10, you'll get extra interest in the garden in the winter thanks to these Chinese natives. "Plant it in well-drained soil with some sun and it will give you bright yellow flowers in the winter," says Clayton.
Note that despite its name, winter jasmine does not have the sweet floral scent of other species, so these flowers will not have the distinctive aroma that other jasmines are known for. However, if you live in the plant's "sweet spot," which Clayton says is found in the cool, humid climates of the Northwest, you can still enjoy all of this plant's visual beauty. offer
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These beautiful hardy flowers come in a variety of colors, making them perfect for bringing some much-needed color to the winter landscape. Just sow the seeds in the fall and plant them in a lightly shaded spot during the growing season so you can enjoy them when everything turns dull and gray.
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winter green
Abbas, another berry grower, says this broadleaf evergreen groundcover is perfect for planting in shady areas you want to fill in over time. "You can expect the white bell-shaped flowers to appear in the summer, which will eventually produce the berries you see in the fall, and that will continue into the winter months," he said, adding that it can be planted anytime starting in the spring. to fall "An attractive plant, the berries are an important food source for wildlife, from birds to small animals."
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snowdrop
Snowflakes are one of the first signs of spring, although they start to appear before the weather warms. "They're tough little flowers that can break through the snow and bloom," Clayton says of the Northeast favorites. "Plant them in fall in well-drained soil and partial shade, and you'll see them emerge by late winter."
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saffron
Like snowflakes, alligators are one of those winter beauties that can start appearing when the weather outside is still awful. "Certainly, crocus can bloom almost anywhere, and you can find it in full sunlight from late winter to early spring," says Abbas. "An early bulb planted in fall, usually before the threat of hard frost." Since they are perennials, you can expect these flowers to delight winter year after year!
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Clayton jokes that he has planted more of these flowers during his career as a professional landscaper. And for good reason, these "tough little guys" are garden mainstays, and that's because they can survive cold winters. "They need well-drained soil and some sun, but they can handle the cold like a champ," Clayton said. "Plant them in the fall and they'll bloom from winter to spring."
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Also known as the Christmas rose, hellebore blooms in late winter or early spring. "Plant them in partial shade and they'll do well with minimal care," Clayton says of these low-maintenance flowers. "Plus, they're perennial, so they'll come back year after year."
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Daffodils
Another late winter bloomer, Abbas says you'll want to plant these bulbs in September and early October before a hard frost threatens. This, he said, will give the bulbs enough time to establish and take root before they stop going dormant for the winter. Available in various shades of yellow, these familiar spring flowers have been a popular choice for decades.
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Aconite is winter
This plant will add a cheerful yellow splash to your landscape even when the rest of the season's colors are still dormant. These short plants appear before the first frosts and you'll find them first in the sunniest areas of your garden, so be sure to keep yours where they'll get plenty of sun all winter long. .
Just be aware that the tubers can be toxic to children and pets if eaten, so don't plant where the soil will be disturbed.
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witch hazel
If you're looking for a flower that really likes to show off, Clayton says you'll love witch hazel with its bright, fragrant blooms in late winter. "Plant it in well-drained soil, in full sun and partial shade," he says, adding that while it's a little slow growing, it's definitely worth the wait.
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Willow
Catkins (willow flower spikes) begin to appear in late winter and last until early spring, according to Abbas, who says this creates a "vision" for the shrub. "An important host plant for many species of bees and butterflies, this shrub will also attract migratory birds in search of abundant food sources," he said. "When catkins open in early spring, they are among the first flowers for pollinators like masons."
If you want to add some charm to your garden this winter, make sure you give it plenty of room to stretch its legs. "A great addition that needs lots of room to grow and isn't too close to structures; even though it's close to the foundation, root systems tend to explore unwanted areas." Plant them in moist soil in full to partial shade and watch them explode at the end of the season
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Trumpet honeysuckle
Abbas says this hardy vine blooms in mild winter climates and even in February. Thumbs are good for gardeners who lean more toward black than green because, Abbas says, they're fairly indestructible and can be planted year-round, meaning you don't need to plan too far ahead. "Depending on where it's located, it will make a plant and it can be pruned at any time," he says. "If you plant one of these vines, not only will it bloom in winter, but you'll look like an active hummingbird in summer."
Provide light shade and moderate humidity and your honeysuckle will thank you with months of blooms.
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Virgin Pergola
Another Abbas favorite, this plant produces beautiful flowers in the fall before turning into something else in the winter. "There's a unique transition from flowers in late fall to fluffy flowers that last through the winter months," she says. "This important plant for pollinators is used by creeping birds for nesting in late winter."
Give it a home in moist soil with partial sunlight.
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Winter heather, Erica carnea
These beautiful flowers covering the lowlands will last from winter to spring, - says Abbas. "With a bright bell-shaped flower, this plant can tolerate sun and partial shade," he said. It seems like it can be planted almost anywhere in the winter garden, so place it where you can enjoy it, even if you can only see it from the window when it's warm. inside
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