|Many people look at the winter months, in terms of gardens and landscapes, as a time during which there is little going on. Warmer months are colorful and vibrant, but often people do not realize that the wintertime provides an environment in which some plants can grow and blossom beautifully. Although it may seem counterintuitive due to harsh conditions such as very low temperatures and snow, a beautiful garden can be a reality even in the winter. The following are ten plants that will not only survive but also thrive during the cold winter months.
These unique perennials, outward facing or drooping and with flowers shaped like bells or cups, come in a wide range of colors, such as pink, white, green, deep purple, and red. They turn green gradually even after their blooming period. Both full sun and partial shade are required, as is moderate to regular water and well-drained soil.
Grown in full sun with moderate watering and well-drained soil, calendulas are available in orange, bright yellow, and cream. They range from 1 to 1.5 feet wide and 1 to 2 feet tall. In addition to being an enlivening addition to the garden, the petals are peppery and can be used as an edible garnish or in dips if grown without using chemicals.
Certain camellia varieties are winter-blooming. For example, evergreen camellias, which can grow to 10 feet tall, live for 50-100 years and have thick green leaves. These should be planted where they can get some, but not too much, sun and be protected from strong winds.
Holly, a festive plant long-associated with the wintertime, comes in approximately 400 varieties. Its foliage is thick and its berries are bright, making this plant particularly eye-catching. Options are broad, as holly can come in small bush form or 80 foot tall form.
One of the earliest blooming blossoms of the late winter, these white plants are rapid to grow even late in the season. They should generally be planted in the fall and grown in the shade, specifically under taller shrubs or in rock gardens.
Cyclamen features dainty flowers, marbled leaves, and reflexed petals. These classic winter blooms come in shades of red, rose, white, and pink. Depending on their size and hardiness, different varieties of cyclamen are excellent bedding or container plants. They need partial shade and must be watered regularly.
This is a deciduous cousin of holly that loses leaves in late fall and brings out bright, lipstick-red berries. To get berries, winterberry must be paired, as most species are female or male. It grows relatively slowly, with a 2-3 year time span for germination, and its berries attract birds.
Witch hazel is a large shrub, growing up to 15 feet tall, which will require a sizeable area in your landscape. It is characterized by spidery yellow and red flowers that are very bright and warm. When summer arrives, the shrub is notably fragrant.
Excellent for cuttings and borders, these flowers come in various colors and styles- some with double flowers, some azalea-esque blooms, and some bell-shaped. In cold climates, they should be planted in the spring, but in milder climates they will bloom throughout the entire winter. Requiring full sun and regular watering, they range from ½ to 2 feet wide and 1 to 3 feet tall.
Extremely popular in Europe for a long time, heather has recently been appealing to the US due to its beauty as a winter plant. Plant heather during the winter where it can receive maximum sun and mulch in that area accordingly. Blooms are year-round and there are flowers during the summer and the fall. Its thick foliage contrasts the delicacy of many other wintery plants.
These ten plants can warm up your Brentwood home despite the cold of winter. Look into what works best for your outdoor space, and select some of these in order to create a beautiful landscape during cold, even snowy weather.
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