Just because the days are shorter and the temperatures are colder doesn’t mean your garden has to be dull and dreary. There are actually quite a few trees and plants that bloom in winter! Here are five of our favorites:
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
A small, twiggy shrub with bright green leaves, winter jasmine produces an abundance of fragrant, Lemon yellow flowers from December through February. The flowers open fully only on sunny days, so we often see them nodding in the snow.
Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume)
Also known as Chinese plum or Japanese peach, this small tree or large shrub is covered with white or pinkish flowers in late January or early February. The semi-double to double blossoms have a delicate fragrance and provide an important source of food for bees emerging from hibernation.
Winter Heath (Erica carnea)
Rosy bells nodding in the snow characterize this low-growing evergreen shrub that is native to Europe. In midwinter, tiny clusters of pink to white bell-shaped flowers appear at the tips of the branches.
Japanese Plum (Eriobotrya japonica)
Japanese Plum trees are one of the first to bloom in winter. The fragrant white flowers appear in December and January, providing a beautiful contrast to the barren branches. These flowers give way to small, round, red fruit that is often used in jams and jellies.
Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.)
As their name suggests, Snowdrops are little white flowers that resemble drops of snow. They are one of the earliest blooming flowers, with some varieties blooming as early as December.Snowdrops are a reminder that even though winter can be a bleak time, spring is just around the corner.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.)
Witch Hazels are shrubs or small trees with yellow, orange, or red flowers that bloom in late fall or early winter. The petals of the Witch Hazel flower look like they have been crumpled up and then straightened out again. This unique appearance makes Witch Hazels a favorite among those who love unusual plants.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Winter Aconite is a small member of the buttercup family with cup-shaped yellow flowers that bloom in February or March.This flower gets its name from its ability to push through the snow and bloom even when the temperatures are freezing.
Winter Hazel (Corylopsis pauciflora)
This pendulous, yellow-flowered shrub is one of the first winter blooms in our garden. The vanilla-scented flowers appear in late January or early February and last for several weeks.
Winter Sweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
With its intensely fragrant, waxy, yellow flowers, winter sweet is a welcome sight in February when not much else is blooming. The flowers appear on bare stems before the leaves emerge.
Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)
Hellebores are evergreen or semi-evergreen perennials with leathery leaves and long-lasting blooms that come in shades of white, pink, purple, or green. Hellebores usually start blooming in late winter or early spring, making them one of the first flowers of the season.Their long blooming period means you can enjoy their beauty for weeks or even months on end.
