Winter Flowering Shrubs

Camellia – Hardy to zones 6 or 7. These evergreen shrubs are great in large containers or partly shaded gardens. Camellia shrubs prefers acidic soil and should be pruned after flowering to clean out any weak or dead wood and thin the shrub enough that large winter flowers won’t be damaged as they open. See more tips on Growing Camellias which are available in a wide variety of flower colors.

Senna (Cassia spp.) – Senna is a Biblical plant that prefers full sun and low to regular water amounts. Cassia shrubs can be either evergreen or deciduous and most are tropicals. The winter senna flowers are usually yellow and were used historically to die cloth and linens in addition to other herbal benefits. Winter cassias are medium sized shrubs that usually grow 3-9 feet tall and attract a large number of butterflies. These beautiful shrubs also self-seed easily which can be either a blessing or a curse.

Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) – Hardy to zone 5. These deciduous shrubs bloom on bare branches beginning in February and always bloom on last year’s growth so take care when pruning. The winter flowers are highly attractive to birds who have few other food supplies at this time of year. Flowering quince is a great choice for a bird-friendly garden and popular for winter flower arrangements or forcing the branches to bloom indoors. Often used as deciduous hedges these ornamental shrubs do produce fruits but are usually tinier and more bitter than edible quince varieties.

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) – Hardy to zero degrees. These deciduous shrubs prefer full to part sun and are semi-drought tolerant once established. In late winter the wintersweet blooms on bare branches with aromatic flowers. These spicy scented winter flowers make a great addition to a fragrance garden and flower arrangers can cut the branches to add to winter indoor floral designs. Provide wintersweet with good drainage and prune lightly to control the leggy growth.

Winterhazel (Corylopsis spicata) – The winterhazel takes full to part sun and has sweet scented, bell shaped flowers that appear in dangling clusters late winter or very early spring. Layer bulbs that bloom in early spring such as snowbells and crocus bulbs under your winterhazel for a beautiful late winter/early spring show!

Primrose Jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi) – Zones 8-10. This evergreen shrub takes full to part sun and needs regular watering. The primrose jasmine has a loose, open growth habit with long arching stems that grow to 8′ long. Beautiful yellow flowers appear in the winter and are very attractive looking but not fragrant. Some gardeners tie the primrose jasmine to the desired height and let the branches then cascade back down adding winter interest to the garden. Prune the primrose jasmine as needed for tidiness.

Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) – Zones 4-9. Winter honeysuckle is very useful as a screen, hedge or border backdrop and can be easily clipped to maintain shape. The winter blooming shrub will grow to 8′ tall with slightly arching stems if not pruned and is deciduous or semi-evergreen. As with other honeysuckle plants, the winter honeysuckle has highly fragrant flowers that appear as tiny white, or cream colored blooms in late winter. The winter honeysuckle also produces attractive red berries making it a great plant for year-round interest.