Also called Christmas rose or Lenten rose, this evergreen perennial blooms as early as December in areas with warm winters. In colder climates, it often waits until late winter (around the time of Lent) to reveal its exquisite rose-like flowers, some of which have double petals and dramatic bi-colored patterns.
Christmas Rose
This evergreen perennial blooms from winter to early spring depending on the selection and where you live (mostly early winter in warmer regions, and as late as February or March where it's very cold).
There are a few bulbs that are winter blooming flowers. Dainty and delicate, snowdrops (Galanthus) are true spring harbingers. No bigger than a dandelion, they bravely push through snow and even ice to grace the garden with their dangling white bell blooms.
Many perennial plants die back as fall moves into winter. Preparing perennials for winter cold often starts with pruning back dead leaves and stems. The foliage of these plants, including peonies, lilies, hostas, and coreopsis, blacken after the freeze.
Bright reds, soft pinks, sunny yellows –– these colors can still pepper your lawn, even when there's snow. You just need winter flowers that bloom in the cold. Viola, winter jasmine, calendulas, and many plants love cooler temperatures, and they don't hesitate to take advantage of winter's pollinators.
Although cyclamen is usually grown as a houseplant, this extra-hardy variety (also called Persian violet or winter cyclamen) thrives outdoors and is at its peak during the winter months, when cold weather coaxes the foliage and flowers from summer dormancy.
Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) is a good choice for an outdoor winter plant because it's an evergreen that keeps its leaves on its branches all winter long. It's drought-tolerant and thrives in both full and partial sun. Hardy to Zone 4, Japanese yews can survive harsh winters.
The most easily found is the crocus. I have seen these flower in late January and early February. The next easiest to find is the snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis, Galanthus elwesii, and Galanthus plicatus). They are more common in Europe, but when I set out to have flowers year-round, this was a must to include.
Snap Dragons, Dusty Miller and Pansies
Winter annuals go by many different names, including cool-season annuals, hardy annuals and frost-tolerant annuals. No matter what you call these blooming beauties, the result is the same: an extended growing season that infuses winter scenery with pops of eye-catching color.
Bluebeard is an easy-care deciduous shrub grown for its autumn flowers, serrated green or gold foliage, and compact habit. Blooms occur in shades of purple, blue, lavender and pink.
Autumn is a great season for annuals, perennials and evergreen shrubs to shine. In fact, some of the most popular flowers, like colorful mums, roses, dahlias, purple pansies and yes, even bright yellow sunflowers all bloom around September and October.
2. Perennials and shrubs that are in your zone or one colder can be overwintered in an unheated garage, buried in the ground, or transplanted. 3. Perennials and shrubs in containers will need water through the winter but should not be kept wet.
Also, do not cut back hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum). Leave the foliage. It's important to protect the root crowns over winter.
It's common to think that everything should be chopped down to the ground in the fall, but some perennials actually need their foliage to protect new shoots through the winter. Other varieties offer up important habitat for local wildlife and some perennials provide height and interest through the winter months.
Snowdrop. This snowy flower is named for its dropping, bell-shaped flower heads. These cold-weather blooms emerge at the end of winter in zones 3-7. They prefer some shade and do well in rock gardens, under flowering shrubs, or in woodland settings.
Crabgrass, petunias, and snapdragons are types of annual that will not survive cold temperatures and will need to be cared for to survive winter.
Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Kohlrabi, Collard Greens, Celery, Spinach, Peas, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Radish, Beets, carrots, Lettuce, Arugula, Onions, Potatoes, Swiss Chard-all can handle light frost, but keep a cover handy for a sudden really cold dip (below 25 degrees F).