Five Southern Winter Flowers

It’s a natural expectation when spring comes around that blossoms will be blooming everywhere, followed by fields of beautiful flowers as far as the eyes can see.

That feeling changes for many as soon as the winter months come along. That’s because not many people in South Carolina are aware that you can still have beautiful blooms around during the cold months.

From Daffodils to Pinks and Christmas Rose, there are limited types of winter flowers but it’s great to know that you won’t have to use fakes and you can still brighten up your interior and exterior naturally.

Here are the seven best flowers for winter color in the Southeast.

Pinks (Hybrid and Dianthus species)

You’d be surprised to learn that these brilliant pink perennial blooms don’t get their name from their color. The jagged margins of their leaves give the impression that they were chopped with pinking shears.

Spices like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon can be detected in the blossoms. China pinks (Dianthus chinensis), which form 6- to 12-inch heaps of grasslike blue-green flowers, are one of many varieties of these short-lived perennials.

Sweet William (D. Barbatus) can grow to a height of two feet if properly cared for. Also in the family are Maiden and Cheddar pinks. You can raise them in open to partial sun conditions. Species tolerance varies from zone to zone.

Daffodils (Narcissus jonquilla)

When it comes to the “old-fashioned” daffodil with the vivid yellow trumpet (which many people imagine when they consider daffodils), you can find several kinds of jonquil flowering in January at Montrose Garden. A sunny place in the fall is the best time to plant bulbs, which will bloom in spring.

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

In the Montrose Garden woodlands, there are numerous varieties of snowdrops, which means that the flower is always in bloom from fall through winter.

There are numerous species of snowdrops, each with a unique combination of white petals and green patterns on the petals. The external petals raise like ballet dancers when it’s warm and dry, experts say. The petals usually hang down.

Winter Aconite, (Eranthis hyemalis)

The vivid yellow daisy-like flowers of this low-growing plant should be planted in well-drained dirt with plenty of water.

Aconite tends to expand and appear in unexpected locations, so be ready for some surprising blooms.

Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger)

A winter-flowering species, the Christmas rose has white flowers, yellow filaments, and vivid evergreen leaves. Goodwin believes it’s a great choice for a shady garden because it’s deer resistant.

The Christmas rose represents the holiday season in a garden setting. The Christmas Rose, with its deep green leaves and dazzling blossoms, provides a burst of color in the winter garden when most other plants are dormant. Black, soft yellow, pink, white, purple, or spotted Christmas roses are this year’s must-haves, regardless of color or style.

Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha)

The blossoms from the paperbush plant are small and clustered, yet their subtle beauty is precisely what makes them so appealing to the public. They are seen by florists as a guarantee and a harbinger of the impending arrival of spring. It always appears as if the flower is going to open. It’s a great thing.

Paperbush can tolerate light shade to bright sunlight, however, more sunlight is needed for the best blooms. A southerly or west-facing structure is the best place to put these flowers since they are vulnerable to frostbite.

Paperbush’s February blooms make it a popular choice for a winter focal point. For forest gardens, borders, or even mass plantings, they’re a go-to choice. They can also be grown in pots and placed on patios and other outside areas to take advantage of the flowers’ sweet scent.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Alyssum is a perennial favorite for its 12-inch mounds of fragrant, pink, white, or lavender blooms. Use it for edging beds and walks, or tuck it away in dark corners. Soil should be well-drained and in full sun to part shade.

Even though it can handle some dry circumstances, it is best to keep it hydrated for optimal performance. Alyssum will go dormant during the hottest months of the year. A hardiness range of 9-11 is recommended for this plant’s cultivation.