Enjoy Top Blooming Winter Flowers

These top blooming winter flowers offer glimpse of spring beauty in the winter. With the right knowledge, you can plant blooms year-round for a colorful garden in all seasons.

In the United States, gardening zones range from Zone 1a (the coolest) to Zones 13b (the warmest). This inclusive list will allow you to see which plants will grow during the fall/winter seasons in your gardening zone.

Be mindful that each plant has its own requirements for soil type, moistness, richness, and sunlight. Once you decide on a bloom that is known to grow in your Zone, do your research on that particular plant so that you can be sure to fulfill all of its nutritional needs as the season turns.

Some of these blooming winter flowers will appear throughout winter while others will bloom late fall, mid-winter, and early spring.

We suggest choosing a mix of blooms in your area to give you lasting color from Fall to the start of Summer!

Hardiness

When looking for blooming winter flowers, you will inevitably see the term “cold hardy” used to describe those plants that will grow nicely in the colder seasons.

This simply means the plant is able to withstand colder temperatures, and may also be able to go through frosts, freezes, and storms without issue.

Each plant will vary, and even plants within the same family will vary. For instance, on the list to follow, you’ll see certain types of plants described (like certain kinds of mahonias and daphnes) because they are known to do the best during the colder seasons.

This list is not all inclusive (that would end up being extremely long!) but it will give you a great head start to figure out what you can plant this season in your zone.

These blooms vary widely in color, from creams and whites to deep oranges, bright yellows, and festive reds, so you’ll certainly be able to find a source of color to shy away the winter weather blues! This list goes from climate zones 4 to 9.

What Grows Where?

• Zones 4 and 5 Oregon Grape holly is a fantastic flower for late winter or early spring blooms. As the Oregon state flower, it’s an evergreen that’s hardy and ideal for brining a pop of color during the off-season.
• Zones 4 to 8  can carry the “Christmas rose” or Hellebore. These are a delight, especially in counties where winter blooming flowers are rare. They are long-living perennials and like the shape or dapples of sunlight. Hellebore need moist and organic soil to prose. You can find them in a range of colors, from white, cream pink, to burgundy, and even light green.
• Zones 4b to 7 can also carry the flower buds of Pieris Japonica from fall through winter. It’s evergreen and needs moist, well-drained, and acid-rich soil—those in the South should also be sure to set it in the shade.
• Zones 5 to 8 are perfect for Jelena Witchhazel. It can bloom as early as January, and this copper-orange shrub is incredibly hardy if you’re looking for a pop of color.
• Zones 6 to 9 are ideal for the Red River Lily, also known as Kaffir Lilly. It usually blooms in the fall but you can expect to see some blooms on mild winter days as well. They’re perennials and grow wildly in wetter areas.
• Zones 6 to 10 can carry Winter Jasmine, which blooms in January. It’s perfect for giving a splash of color to your banks and retaining walls—blooms in bright yellow to welcome the spring! Also can be planted in parts of Zone 5.
• Zones 7 to 9 In this zone, some Mahonias, like the Leatherleaf Mahonia, will bloom during the winter
• parts of Zone 6 With proper care, this zone can also bloom Mahonias. They are very hardy and colorful!

Also hardy in Zones 7 and 9 are many different kinds of daphnes, like the Daphne Bholua or Jacqueline Postill. It will bloom in mid winter and is evergreen.

How Can I Find Other Winter Blooming Flowers?

The only way to learn what exactly will grow in your area is to first determine which zone you’re in. You can visit multiple websites to find the USDA zone map for gardens.

Once you know your zone, you’ll get intriguing information about your annual climate, which can be used to figure out which plants will grow in your area.

Finding spring blooms is easy for most zones, but winter blooms can be a bit harder to find—especially if you’re Zones 4 and 5 or below.

Zones are set based on the annual average temperature through the seasons. For instances, Zones 1a and 1b range from -60 to -50 F each year, which would be incredibly cold to plant in.

On the other end, Zones 13a and 13b range from about 65 to 70 F, which imposes another set of problems during certain peak seasons of heat and sunlight.

Find A Professional

If you’re at a loss and unable to locate further information on the web, one of the quickest ways to get an answer is to visit your local gardening shop.

Gardening shops will have already done all the research for your particular Zone (along with considered specific information, like water restrictions, in your county and town).

This means you can walk in during any season and expect to find plants that will grow in your area.

Of course, they likely won’t stock all the plants that can be grown in your Zone, which is why researching for yourself can be a huge help and add to the uniqueness of your garden.

In fact, many gardening shops choose not to stock winter blooms at all, with the occasional exception of indoor plants around Christmas time. That means, with research, you could be the only curb on the block with pops of color this upcoming season.

After all, very few things are more inviting and delightful than seeing a bright yellow, red, or orange welcoming guests to your doorstep during the middle of winter!

Things To Consider: Soil and Sunlight

When looking for winter blooming flowers, your considerations should go a bit further than just finding a plant that is known to be hardy in your zone. Each plant will also have individual needs, like water, soil type, and sunlight.

Some winter blooms need minimal sunlight and would do best in the shade or somewhere where only a bit of sunlight (like through branches) will reach them. However, other winter blooms still need a good deal of sun shine during the daytime hours.

Additionally, once you have researched your zone to find a plant that will grow this upcoming season, you should research that plant in particular to discover its other requirements.

One of the biggest and most important is the soil type it will do best in. With the cold weather and lack of sun, along with potential high winds and all the frost, you need to do your part to give the plants you choose the right amount of nutrients—and that’s where soil plays a big role.

Most winter blooming flowers will call for a moist and organic soil. Others will do well if you use certain additives that you can find at your gardening store, while some would do best just being minimally tended to.

Should I Bring Them Indoors?

Most hardy winter blooms will be left outside throughout the winter, but if you want to be safe (perhaps you’re trying out a plant from a zone up from yours), you can use a large pot.

Remember to use the recommended soil type so that you can bring it indoors in case the winter ever gets to be a bit too much.

However, if you’re in search of potted winter blooming flowers, there will be some other considerations, like making sure to keep the soil moist if that’s what’s called for or potentially using “flower food” to keep it nutrient rich through the season.

If you do choose to keep them outdoors, make sure your yard is protected from critters or other damaging effects.

For instance, during a wind storm or blizzard, if you have a potted plant, I suggest you  pull it in the garage or at least out of the direct pelting of the snow and weather.

I know a woman who covered her star jasmine with blankets during the coldest time of year to protect from heavy snow breaking the branches.

How To Plant Successfully

When you do choose a bloom to plant, make sure to consider all of the following:

• Check your USDA zone first to verify which zone you fall into.
• Use an online “bloom finder”, like the one at the USDA website, and type in your zip code to get further information about your climate.
• Speak with a local gardening shop for tips and ideas for your particular town/county.
• Take blizzards and high winds into account if you’re in a lower/colder zone.
• Take water restrictions and droughts into account if you’re in a higher/hotter zone.
• When you find blooms to plant, be certain they will grow in your particular garden by checking soil type and quality.
• Research which type of soil your chosen blooms will need (organic, acid-rich, moist?)
• Check on your blooms each day and tend to them as needed to keep them hardy and beautiful.

 

Variables to Success

If you aren’t able to get to a local garden shop or expert, you can also find guides that are published each year for each gardening zone.

Guides will provide you with detailed and updated information about your particular climate, but keep in mind that zones cover very large areas and your particular town/county’s restrictions, weather, and special requirements may vary.

For instance, those living in Zones 6a and 6b might be able to plant the red river lily according to the USDA zoning map.

However, if they live particularly close to one of the many large lakes in this zone, they may have different results than someone living in a populated town who’s growing them on the curb.

All of these considerations can be taken into account with just a little bit of local research. Ask your neighbors, friends, and colleagues for their input and experience. And, if you’re ready to go for it, do your best and see for yourself.

If something doesn’t end up blooming, just do more research and try again next season. Luckily, most climates can locate some form of color that will grow year-round so you’ll have plenty of chances to keep trying and experimenting as the months go by!

Stagger your Planting

As long as you do your local research and keep the considerations in mind, your winter blooming flowers should do just perfect as the season rolls on. And, of course, choose more than one bloom for a mix of seasonal color.

For instance, plant some that will bloom in late fall (and may re-appear mid-winter) along with some winter blooming flowers and even early spring blooms.

Staggering plants by blooming times will ensure you always have some form of bloom in your yard, and it will really prove you have a green thumb!

Extreme Zones

Unfortunately, those in Zones 1 through 5 may struggle with finding winter blooming flowers hardy enough to plant in the icy cold, but don’t despair. The list above included blooms known to be hardy down through Zone 4.

If you live in Zones 1 to 3, you may have to go a different route for color this winter—think evergreens!

Some companies also produce plants that are bred to grow well in extremely cold climates, so that may be worth checking out if you’re going to be able to tend to it throughout the coldest part of the year.

Finally, if you come across a plant that is on the verge of possibly growing in your zone, give it a shot and see what turns out! It could turn out to be a nice, festive surprise.

Summary

What could be more welcoming during the cold season than entering a home with colorful winter blooming flowers out front? We hope this has inspired you to get planting this season and see what you come up with.

Gardening is a wonderful way to learn about your climate and experience the joy of growing delightful flowers. So, even if you’ve never planted in the winter before, why not give it a go?

Have you had success with other winter blooming flowers in your area? Please share in the comments below.