Winter is a strange time to think of flowers in the landscape, yet it can be a surprising awakening of the garden. Some trees, shrubs, vines, annuals and perennials bloom between fall and spring.
Here are some favorite winter bloomers:
Camellias
It’s impossible to think about winter-flowering shrubs without first thinking of camellias. These large, attractive, broad-leaved evergreen shrubs are prized for their flowers, which bloom from winter to spring. There are about 2,500 named cultivars registered with the American Camellia Society. In Georgia, the two primary camellias used include cultivars of Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) and Sasanqua camellia (C. sasanqua).
Jasmine
Winter jasmine is an evergreen, arching shrub reaching 3 to 4 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide. With the warm days of January and February, the red buds open into yellow tubular flowers on the green stems. The flowers open over a long time, with always a few open blooms once it starts. This plant flowers best in full sun. It’s well-adapted to banks where the ends of the branches root, starting new plants.
Winter daphne
Winter daphne is an aristocrat in the plant world. This slow-growing, mounded evergreen reaches about 3 feet tall and a little less wide. The clusters of tiny flowers form heads 1 to 2 inches across in solid white or pink-edged white flowers. The flowers stay in good condition for four to six weeks. The outstanding fragrance fills the area, too. But it’s not an easy plant to grow. It dislikes having its roots in wet soils; plant it high in well-drained, amended soils in partial shade for best results.
Winter honeysuckle
Winter honeysuckle brings life to the garden with its sweet fragrance. The small, creamy flowers seldom attract attention, except from the insects. The plant is best placed in an out-of-the-way space. It’s a tough, adaptable plant that reaches 6 to 10 feet tall in sun or shade. Tuck it away and let visitors try to find the source of the honeysuckle perfume.
Lenten rose
This is a short, delightful perennial that starts to bloom in January or February. This plant is easy to grow and only requires partial shade and occasional watering. It rewards us with clusters of nodding terminal flowers 3 inches wide that are white to maroon, many with freckle spots inside. The flowers last eight weeks or more before turning green with the development of its inflated seed pods. The leathery, dark green leaves are attractive all year.
These suggestions will provide color, fragrance and interest in the winter landscape at a time of year when avid gardeners need it most.
Billy Skaggs is an agricultural agent and Hall County extension coordinator. Phone: 770-531-6988. Fax: 770-531-3994.