Winter in the Mid-Atlantic region doesn’t mean your garden has to be lifeless. Beyond the striking textures of bark and evergreens, there are many vibrant plants that bloom even in the coldest months, adding color and interest to your winter landscape.
Winter Aconite
Winter Aconite (Eranthis), a member of the buttercup family, is a charming bulb that brightens up gardens with cheerful yellow blooms during the chilliest days. Frost and ice don’t deter this hardy plant, making it an ideal choice for woodland settings and under deciduous trees. As ephemeral plants, they disappear as spring emerges, making way for new growth. Plant bulbs in the fall or propagate by dividing tubers when foliage begins to die back.
Christmas Rose/Lenton Rose
The Christmas Rose/Lenten Rose (Hellebore Orientalis) offers elegant blooms in late winter to early spring, with varieties featuring double-petaled flowers and variegated foliage. While white is the most common color, you can find blooms in soft pinks to deep, almost-black hues. This robust, drought-tolerant plant thrives in shady spots, is deer-resistant, and forms a lush ground cover when established. Trim back foliage in late spring for a tidy appearance.
Winter Jasmine
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a familiar sight across the DC region, often adorning large concrete containers along the National Mall. With flexible, deep green stems and delicate yellow blooms that appear in early winter, it’s often mistaken for Forsythia. This versatile plant thrives in various conditions and can be trained on arbors, draped over retaining walls, or planted as a spreading ground cover. Regular maintenance will keep it in check.
Winter-Blooming Camellia
Camellias are broad-leaved evergreens that offer stunning flowers from winter to spring. With over 2,300 cultivars available, you can find the perfect match for your landscape. Growing 6 to 12 feet tall with a similar spread, camellias make excellent specimen shrubs, screens, or border plants, providing continuous color from December through June.
Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is a standout with its fragrant, colorful blooms that appear as winter transitions to spring. This low-maintenance, pest-resistant shrub thrives in full sun but can tolerate filtered shade. Reaching heights of 10 to 20 feet, Witch Hazel adds height and vibrancy to any garden.
Brighten Your Winter Garden with Meadows Farms Nurseries
Brighten your garden year-round with vibrant winter blooms! Our expert team is here to help you choose and plant the perfect seasonal flowers to enhance your landscape. Stop by your local Meadows Farms location to get started today!