Winter Flowering Plants

Why put the flowering landscape to bed for the cold season when so many winter flowering plants exist? A drive around the neighborhood in winter confirms that most homeowners don’t think about planting flowers during this time of year. Start a new trend in the neighborhood by planting a winter flower garden.

Lenten Rose

Lenten rose, a perennial evergreen, loves shade and moisture, but it doesn’t love standing water. Add compost to soil for good drainage. Purchase compost at any garden center. Lenten rose reaches 14 to 18 inches in height and a spread of 12 to 18 inches. Flowers are available in shades of green, cream and pink. Lenten rose grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9. In this case, zone 6 has a hardiness zone to -10 degrees F, lenten rose’s lowest survival temperature. Zone 6 falls within the upper Southern and lower Northern United states.

Crocus

Plant Crocus, a type of bulb, in fall, 3 to 4 inches deep in any well-draining garden soil. They come in shades of white, purple, yellow and bi-colors and grow three to four inches high. Crocus grows best in USDA hardiness zones six and higher, the upper and lower Southern United States. Crocus bloom before the last snow completely melts away.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen, does well beneath deciduous trees where they receive dappled sunlight. Plant in soil with a balanced fertilizer. Cyclamen grow three to four inches high in colors of white, pink, purple and pale-pink. They do best in zones five through nine, the mid and lower half of the United States.

Camellia

Camellias, an evergreen, grow best in dappled sunlight in warmer climates, or sun in cooler climates. They reach four to 15 feet high and last for many years. Plant them in well-draining soil in an area sheltered from hot, drying, or frosty winds. There are several species of camellias and their USDA hardiness depends on the species. They are suitable for zones seven through nine, the lower half of the United States. Zero degrees is the lowest temperature in which it can survive.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel, a deciduous tree, develops yellow or orange flowers along its spidery branches and reaches eight to 10 feet in height and width. It looks best planted in a lawn with daffodils and snowdrops. Plant in well-drained soil and full sun. It can tolerate some shade. Soil should be moist. Witch hazel does best in zones four through eight, the mid-Western United States.

Hardiness Zone Maps

Avid gardeners refer to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zone Map of their region when purchasing plants. These zones cover a 10-degree Fahrenheit range of average annual, minimum temperatures (cold hardiness). The American Horticulture Society (AHA), recognizing that extreme heat also damages plants, developed the AHS Heat Zone Map. Sunset Magazine recognized that adjoining zones merge near their boundaries and developed a climate zone map that takes in factors other than cold and heat.

Homeowners, don’t send your landscape into hibernation. Flower lovers enjoy flowers all year long with winter flowering plants. Find winter flowering trees, shrubs and bulbs at any major garden center, or online at any garden website; be sure to check the USDA Hardiness Zone while there.

Reference

Buffin, Michael W: Winter-Flowering Shrubs: 2005

Bales, Suzy: Garden in Winter: 2007

Lowe, Judy: Tennessee & Kentucky Gardener’s Guide: 2005

Hessayon, Dr. D.G.:The Flowering Shrub Expert: 1997

Jimerson, Doug: Beds & Borders: Better Homes and Garden: 2009