22 Winter Flowers That Actually Love the Cold
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Your garden is vibrant from spring to fall, but it doesn't have to become dull once chilly weather arrives. Believe it or not, many types of winter-blooming flowers burst to life during the darkest, coldest days of the year, allowing you to enjoy year-round color in your garden.
To prepare your landscape for winter flowering, you'll need to do some planting in the fall. For example, bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, must be planted in the fall to bloom in late winter and early spring. Perennials and flowering shrubs like hellebores and forsythia also need to be planted in late fall to establish their roots before the ground freezes. In warm regions of the country, annuals such as pansies and violas can survive from fall planting well into midwinter or later.
Whether you live in the snowy north or the sunny south, there are winter-blooming flowers that will thrive in your garden. Just ensure that any perennials or shrubs you plant are suited to withstand winters in your USDA Hardiness Zone. Water them well until winter arrives, and then enjoy the blooms! Here are the 22 best winter-blooming flowers for your garden, no matter where you live.
More inspiration for green thumbs:
Grape Hyacinth
These tiny spikes of purple, white, or pink are scented with a decidedly grape-like fragrance. These adorable winter-blooming flowers pop up in late winter to early spring, and they make a sweet, petite-cut flower, too.
Winter Heath
Winter heath is a reliable winter-blooming flower, even in cold climates. The long-lasting flowers come in various shades of pink or white with evergreen foliage. Heath also makes a pretty, dense ground cover.
Scilla
Teeny but gorgeous blue blooms make scilla a must-have in the winter garden. Groups of them planted in a rock garden have the best effect.
Starflower
Also known as ipheion, these tiny white, pink, or blue flowers were popular in colonial gardens. Plant them in masses at the edge of walkways, so you can enjoy their perfume in late winter or early spring.
Algerian Iris
In warm climates, this fragrant iris blooms as early as December, but its foliage is evergreen. Plant this winter-blooming flower along walkways so you can enjoy its scent.
Pansies and Violas
Pansies and violas bloom for most of the winter in mild climates, and some types perk back up in the spring in cold climates. They're technically annuals, but many varieties drop seeds, so they'll pop up again the next spring. Varieties such as Cool Wave pansies can last most of the winter in moderate climates.
Snowdrops
Also called galanthus, snowdrops must be planted in the fall for a very early spring show. These darling, droopy-headed flowers look best at the front of borders or in rock gardens and often start blooming when snow is still on the ground (thus, the name!).
Daffodils
These sunny little flowers are some of the first ones to crop up in the early spring, but depending on where you live, they may bloom as early as February. Plant these bulbs in the fall for late winter/spring blooms. These are a great choice if rodents like to dig up (and eat!) your bulbs because they tend to avoid these.
Hellebores
These exquisite perennials are known as Lenten roses because they bloom around the time of Lent in some climates. They appear in mid-to-late winter, depending on where you live. Despite their delicate appearance, these winter-blooming flowers are tough as nails and their waxy green foliage looks good all year. The blooms also make lovely cut flowers.
Winterberry
Though it's not really a flower, the bright red berries of winterberry (a type of deciduous holly) make this a must-have for any winter garden. If you want berries, make sure to buy both a male and female plant so that pollination occurs.
SHOP WINTERBERRY PLANTS (FEMALE)
SHOP WINTERBERRY PLANTS (MALE)
Lily of the Valley Shrub
This showy plant blooms when least expected in mid-to-late winter! Hundreds of bell-like white or pink flowers dangle from fine stems on this striking evergreen shrub.
Winter Aconite
When you're getting weary of winter, these petite flowers appear, often when snow still is on the ground. Their buttercup-yellow blooms help to attract early-season pollinators. Deer, rabbits, and digging rodents also tend to leave these flowers alone.
Witch Hazel
This adorable shrub boasts wispy yellow or orange flowers in late winter or very early spring before the foliage appears. Their whimsical appearance makes them a fun addition to the landscape. Be sure to plant the winter-flowering variety because there are many different types.
Primrose
These dainty flowers are some of the earliest perennials to bloom in late winter to early spring, depending on where you live. With hundreds of types, be sure to choose a type of primrose that can survive winters in your USDA Hardiness Zone.
Camellia
Camellias bloom from late fall to mid-spring, depending on the variety. Their huge blooms are reminiscent of roses. Make sure to choose a winter-blooming type that is hardy in your part of the country.
Glory of the Snow
As the name indicates, this charming, late-winter bloomer appears when snow still may be on the ground. Plant this bulb in the fall for late winter and early spring blooms. Glory of the snow is best massed at the front of garden edging or under trees for the most impact. The flowers will continue to spread every year.
Mahonia
This evergreen shrub has leathery, frond-like leaves and dramatic sprays of bright yellow flowers that appear in late fall or early winter. Before you buy it, check the plant tag to make sure it's a type suited to survive winters in your region.
Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale has pretty ruffled foliage that lasts well into winter in mild climates. Its bright pink or yellow leaves bring welcome color to an otherwise faded garden. It's also lovely as a cut flower in mixed bouquets.
Winter Jasmine
The cheery, bright yellow flowers of winter jasmine are a welcome respite from dreary winter days. Blooming in late winter to early spring, this vining shrub may not be as fragrant as other types of jasmine, but it's a lovely addition to the landscape.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is often sold as a houseplant, but in mild climates, this winter-blooming flower is used as a beautiful ground cover. Available in shades of pink, white, lavender, and fuchsia, they prefer winter sun and summer shade, so plant them beneath deciduous trees for the best results.
Crocus
These petite flowers look lovely peeking through the snow! However, they're favorites of rabbits and digging rodents, so make sure to plant them inside a cage of chicken wire. You can also plant other bulbs that the pests don't like, such as daffodils, nearby.
Daphne
In mild climates, the sweet scent and pretty flowers of daphne shrubs are a lovely sight in the late-winter to early-spring garden. The fruity fragrance of these winter-blooming flowers is a reminder that spring is on its way.
Q: Is It Hard to Keep Flowers Alive in the Winter?
A: If you choose the right perennial or shrub for your USDA Hardiness zone, your plant should do just fine. Read the plant tag to understand its care needs, then make sure you plant it where it receives the correct amount of light (for example, full sun, part sun, or part shade).
Annuals will live just one season, though in warmer climates they may last throughout much of the winter. Plant them in the fall and enjoy them until the first hard freeze. In mild climates, they may last until the following spring when warmer weather causes cool-season flowers, such as pansies, to fade.
Q: What Is the Most Essential Gardening Tool?
A: The most essential gardening tool is a trowel. This tool is invaluable because it allows you to dig small holes for planting seedlings and plants, make furrows for planting seeds, and weed between other plants. Choose one made from stainless steel with a sturdy handle.
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