Unlike spring and summer, winter is not always blessed with the blooming season of flowers.
However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have beautiful blossoms in this cold season.
Several kinds of flowers can grow in the winter, and they are not less beautiful than the ones blooming in warm weather.
Check out 20 winter flowers below to brighten up your chilly days in the winter.
In this article, we'll cover
- 1. Winter Aconite
- 2. Winter Sun Mahonia
- 3. Winter Pansies
- 4. Ornamental Kale
- 5. Chinese Fringe Flower
- 6. Winter-blooming Camellia
- 7. Christmas Rose
- 8. Snowdrops
- 9. Cyclamen
- 10. Witch Hazel
- 11. Crocus
- 12. Dwarf Iris
- 13. Early Scilla
- 14. Ornamental Cabbage
- 15. Calendulas
- 16. English Primrose
- 17. Winter Jasmine
- 18. Sweet Alyssum
- 19. Honeywort
- 20. Sweet Pea
1. Winter Aconite
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) usually blooms in the early winter. The bright yellow blossoms and feathery green foliage of this flowering plant will add cheerful color to the greyish shade of winter.
Winter Aconite can only reach up to the maximum height of 6 inches, so it is better to plant this flower in the rock garden, around the threes, or along the pathway.
2. Winter Sun Mahonia
Also known as Oregon Grapeholly, this plant prefers to grow in the shady areas. It features thick, glossy leaves as well as yellow flower spikes.
The annual Winter Sun Mahonia starts bearing flowers in December and continues to grow until spring.
As the winter ends, the plant will produce small blue fruits which become the favorite feed of songbirds.
3. Winter Pansies
Winter Pansies are one of the recommended winter flowers that you can grow in the flowerbed.
Similar to the regular pansies, this winter variety comes in various colors, such as red, yellow, blue, and orange.
Blooming in early December, the flowers are often called ice pansies because of its ability to thrive in the freezing temperature.
4. Ornamental Kale
While regular kale becomes a tasty addition to the vegetable salad, the hybrid variety of this cruciferous plant bears beautiful flowers in the winter.
Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) features ruffled petals with rosette flower head in a range of colors, including white, pink, violet, and deep red.
5. Chinese Fringe Flower
The delicate flowers of Chinese Fringe hang in ruffles from its greenish shrub.
The shrub itself can reach up to the height of 5-8 feet so that it will be the perfect plant for the border.
Most varieties of Chinese Fringe Flower have white blossoms, but you can find a few varieties which feature pinkish or reddish shades.
6. Winter-blooming Camellia
Similar to Chinese Fringe Flower, the blooms of winter-blooming Camellia also grows in shrubs.
The flowers’ colors range from pink blush to blood red shades; they look in contrast to the white snow of winter.
Because of its elegant and majestic petals, Winter-blooming Camellia is often regarded as “the queen of winter flowers”.
7. Christmas Rose
The holiday season’s favorite, Christmas Rose, features cup-shaped flowers in snowy white color.
As the name suggests, this flower blooms in the Christmastime, which is from mid-to-late December. It prefers to grow in the location with partial or full shade.
8. Snowdrops
Of all flowers that bloom in winter, snowdrops are considered the most popular. The flower is usually planted in late fall, right before the first snow comes.
Therefore, snowdrop blossoms will start to appear in the late winter and continue to bloom until the early spring.
9. Cyclamen
Blooming in the late winter, cyclamen likes to grow in the location with partial shade, such as under the trees or shrubs.
The leaves of this flowering plant resemble the shape of lily pads, while the flowers come in white, pink, red, and purple colors.
10. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is known for its unique flower petals. This flower has ribbon-shaped petals and produces sweet slightly strong fragrance. It usually blooms in the late winter until the end of the spring.
11. Crocus
Crocus usually blooms at the end of the season. However, there is one particular variety, namely Crocus ancyrensis, which blooms earlier in the mid-winter.
Coming in white, yellow, or purple shades, crocus creates a colorful flower bed in the white snow.
12. Dwarf Iris
If you are looking for winter flowers with a pleasant scent, the dwarf iris is the perfect option.
You can plant it in the garden or containers for indoor growing. The small flowers of the dwarf iris will make a beautiful decoration.
13. Early Scilla
The star-shaped flowers of Early Scilla come in white petals with blue stripes.
Since Early Scilla belongs to the annual flowering plant, the flowers will bloom every winter in the same spot. For that reason, this plant is rather easy to maintain.
14. Ornamental Cabbage
Ornamental cabbage is not technically a flower. It is some kinds of winter plants with various colors of leaves, including white, blue, red, pink, green, and purple. The colors of the plant will turn brighter as the temperature goes down.
15. Calendulas
In terms of the flower shape, calendulas bear a close resemblance to daisies. They also come in various bright colors, such as yellow and orange.
Besides planting them in the flowerbed, you can turn calendulas into cut flowers and place them in a vase.
16. English Primrose
English Primrose is one of a few primrose varieties that can thrive in the cold weather.
The other ones are fairy primrose and Chinese Primrose, but they are less popular.
English Primrose features rosette foliage and circular flowers which bloom alone or in clusters.
17. Winter Jasmine
Another great option on the list of winter flowers is Winter Jasmine. It has yellow blooms and glossy leaves which grow on the willowy stems.
However, this flower doesn’t produce any scent, let alone the strong fragrance like regular jasmines.
18. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum likes to thrive in the cool weather, so it is a perfect flower to grow in the winter.
You can plant Sweet Alyssum along the pathway or in the flower bed. The flower has a pleasant scent and blooms in white, pink, or lavender shades.
19. Honeywort
Bearing blue-purple flowers, Honeywort is a native winter plant of the Mediterranean.
This flowering plant features purplish-blue flowers and silvery green leaves.
As it can reach the height of 2-3 feet, Honeywort is a great choice for the flower border.
20. Sweet Pea
Originated from Italy, Sweet Pea is a flowering vine which belongs to the annual winter flowers.
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The vine of Sweet Pea can climb up to the height of 6 feet. Meanwhile, its ruffled flowers bloom in clusters and produce sweet, pleasant fragrance throughout the season.
