Plants for Winter Blooms
Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 6:30PM Why in the world do we gardeners put in plants that bloom in winter? Why the obsession to find a spot of color against a gloomy landscape? I was asking these questions today when a bit of sunshine, after several overhung days, pulled me outside. The temperature was barely above freezing, a bitter breeze blew in my face, and the soil was soggy from recent rains. Nevertheless, there I was, bundled up, searching for those hardy blooms that braved the vacillations of an Alabama winter. 
Camellia japonica 'Red Candles' is a prolific winter bloomer, despite frosty air.
The fact is, many of us gardeners are greedy people. We want it all. We want a year-round paradise, if not in reality, at least in our dreams. Even northern gardeners who are snowed-in through much of the winter challenge the frozen land outside their windows. They hover around grow lights in the basement or bathroom, nurturing seedlings for a warmer season. They fill sunrooms, kitchens, and other living areas with green plants and pots of flowering tropicals, whose vibrant leaves and colorful blooms are remarkably beautiful against a backdrop of snow.
As for me, today I needed to be outside, checking on things.
Flowering quince, Chaenomeles, is a shrub whose flowers may persist for two or more months.
Daffodils are just pushing up and beginning to form buds, and tea olives are filled with tiny white buds that will soon fill the arbor garden with fragrance.
Variegated Winter Daphne is also filled with buds that will soon open to fragrant blooms.
Distylium 'Vintage Jade' has many tiny red buds. When they open, they are reminiscent of witch hazel.
This Edgeworthia chrysantha bud is just beginning to open.
Another view of Edgeworthia buds. Yes, they feel furry!
Camellia 'Something Beautiful' lives up to its name.
Many of the Camellia 'Something Beautiful' blooms have fallen to the ground because of wind and rain, forming bouquets of blossoms on the earth. Fortunately, many more remain on the shrub.
I felt a hint of things stirring beneath the surface as I examined the blooms in my winter garden, and I am reassured that spring will come.
Reader Comments (9)
Ahhhh, it is so nice to see these blooms and buds. They warm my heart and soul on a cold wintery day here. I am happy that my garden is covered in snow with this severe cold that is supposed to hang around for days. Seeing your blooms gives me hope for the future. Cheers...
I like the Edgeworthia. Looks like one of our wildflowers.
I love the hopefulness of this post. You actually have a lot of lovely blooms and I'm sure that the evergreens are forming a wonderful backdrop for them.
My quince are in full bloom and daffodils forming buds, too, but Lenten rose not yet blooming...can't wait. The hard freeze affected the camellia blooms here, but maybe the remaining buds will come out. Love all of your blooms. Learned some new winter ones from your photos! Thanks so much for sharing. Winter color in the garden definitely lifts one's spirits!
Oh my goodness: Your blooms are so pretty and hopeful! You're right--even northern gardeners have to find ways to get periodic gardening fixes. No blooms here in January. Some of the plants you show bloom here in March and April. We can't grow Camellias--even the toughest are only hardy to zone 6. I'm jealous!
I enjoyed seeing your January blooms. Helps me to hold on until our own spring finally arrives.
It's necessary to garden in the winter because some of the plants we want prefer cooler temps. For instance, I love Johnny Jump Ups and Pansies. I've also got camellias blooming AND periwinkles because we've been having a mild winter. However, we've got 3 nights in the low 30's, some of it might not make it.
Hello Debs, your garden is definitely more of a Winter paradise than ours. As you say, we still try to improve it.
What a treat to see those blooms and buds! It doesn't usually happen here until March, but on the first day that there is a hint of spring in the air and enough snow has melted to see patches of bare ground, I won't be able to resist the siren call of the garden, and I'll be out walking slowly around the house and looking for signs of new growth and buds.