Winter can seem like such a dull time of year with most plants going dormant and the landscape looking gray. However, there are still plenty of flowering plants that can liven up your garden even in the colder months. Selecting the right winter bloomers is key to maintaining color and joy outdoors when other things have stopped growing.
Certain flowers are specially adapted to thrive despite low temperatures and shorter days. Some can even extend your gardening season by providing blossoms from late fall through early spring. Here are a few!
Violas
Violas come in various bright colors and will remain blooming throughout most of the winter. A bonus is that violas have a lovely sweet fragrance and that is why people love getting them via flower delivery in New Castle DE. Their petite flowers tend to cover low-growing mounds of foliage. Violas prefer partial shade over full sun. Consider planting violas around walkways or at the front of flowerbeds so you can enjoy their cheerful color and scent as you stroll through the garden on winter days.
Hellebores
Hellebores or Lenten roses are early flowering perennials that add beauty to shaded winter gardens. Their saucer-shaped blooms can be white, pink, green, or purple. Some varieties even have colorfully patterned blooms. Hellebores begin flowering as early as late winter and will keep blooming til spring. Their foliage tends to stay evergreen through winter which makes them stand out amongst dormant plants. Plant hellebores along borders or at the base of trees and shrubs where you can appreciate their unique flowers even when other plants have yet to emerge from the soil.
Camellias
For parts of the garden receiving partial sun or shade, consider camellias. These woody flowering shrubs add tropical flair even during colder months. Camellias bear various colored single or double blooms of red, white, or pink. The blooms and healthy green leaves provide a colorful structure from winter to early spring. Some Camellia varieties are more cold tolerant than others so do some research before selecting ones that will thrive in your area.
Narcissus
No winter garden is complete without narcissus or daffodils. Starting in late winter, these bulbs send up cheerful yellow, orange, or white trumpets that emit a sweet fragrance. Daffodils naturalize easily and will self-sow, ensuring years of joyful blooms. Mass plant daffodils throughout the lawn or in drifts within borders for maximum impact. Consider less common varieties like the miniatures that add intimacy to gardens or alluring paperwhites that are excellent for indoor forcing.
Snapdragons
For color that lasts beyond other winter bloomers, consider planting snapdragons. These unique flowering plants come in a range of colors from pinks to reds and even some yellow or white varieties. Snapdragons enjoy the partial shade and cool temperatures. What makes them special is that they bloom continuously from late fall all the way until early summer if given adequate moisture. Plant snapdragons along walkways or in the front of borders for winter flowers the whole family can admire.
Cyclamen
If wanting to lighten up indoor winter months, try growing cyclamen. These colorful flowering plants originate from Mediterranean regions and prefer moderate temperatures. Cyclamen come in shades of red, pink, white, and purple with heart-shaped leaves that pair delightfully with their upward-facing flowers. Start cyclamen from tubers or purchase already potted plants near fall. Cyclamen can brighten up any windowsill or table with their charming blooms through winter into spring. But remember to keep the soil slightly moist.
Poinsettias
Last but not least, December would not feel complete without the cheerful blooms of poinsettias. Their bright red, pink, or white bracts create a festive look perfect for holiday decorating and you can usually see them at florists in Wilmington DE during this time. Poinsettias tolerate low indoor light and require only occasional watering. Look for poinsettia plants starting in November at garden centers and stores. Place them on well-lit shelves, tables, or as part of an outdoor winter garden display.
If you don’t have the space to plant your own winter-blooming flower delivery in Wilmington DE but still want to enjoy their brightness indoors, consider ordering pre-made bouquets from Flower Place of New Castle County. We offer beautiful arrangements featuring seasonal blooms like pansies, cyclamen, and more delivered right to your door. Shop today!
