Plants with Late-Blooming Qualities, Transforming Your Yard into a Spectacle of Radiant Colors from Autumn to the Festive Season
Bring some cheer to your garden this winter with a selection of vibrant and fragrant plants that can thrive in the colder months. Here are some options to consider, suitable for various USDA zones.
Camellias, with their frilly, rose-like blooms, can offer a splash of colour from October to December in zones 7-9. For those in zone 6, there are hardy camellias for northern gardens. One such camellia, the Winter's Joy, can be found at Garden Goods Direct and is suitable for zone 6.
Ornamental kale plants are another great choice for winter gardens. They will last all winter and have more vibrant foliage in cooler weather. Ornamental kale prefers full sun and slightly acidic soil. A two-pack of established ornamental kale plants can be found at the Home Depot.
Mahonia, or olive-leaved barberry, is another winter-blooming plant that can add interest to your garden. 'Winter Sun' and 'Soft Caress' mahonia can be found at Garden Goods Direct. 'Winter Sun' mahonia shrubs burst into spears of bright yellow flowers in late fall or early winter, reaching up to 8 feet tall. 'Soft Caress' mahonia, on the other hand, has softer, bamboo-like leaves and is more compact, topping out at 3 feet.
Pansies are another popular choice for winter gardens. They can thrive in cooler fall temperatures as winter approaches and bloom all the way until the first frost hits when planted in late September. Pansies can look great in borders or as part of a winter container garden.
American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) will bloom between October and December, adding delicate, canary yellow flowers to native winter gardens. Witch hazel shrubs can add a pop of colour and a lovely fragrance to winter gardens, and are hardy in zones 3-9. There are also dwarf varieties like 'Quasimodo' that are a nice, compact option for smaller spaces.
For those looking for plants that bloom from January into March, Chinese and Japanese witch hazel varieties are a good choice.
Lastly, snapdragons bring tall, brilliant blooms and thrive in cooler temperatures. The Speedy Sonnet Crimson snapdragon variety brings great autumnal color. Snapdragons are hardy in zones 3-11.
Unfortunately, the search results do not provide information on plants recommended by Kathleen Walters that bloom from autumn to Christmas. However, with these winter-blooming plants, you can create a beautiful and colourful winter garden to enjoy throughout the colder months.
