Winter flowers are all the rage now that Thanksgiving is behind us and it’s only weeks until Christmas. Below are some great holiday winter flowers. you can grow right here in California, and elsewhere.
Winter Flowers to Plant
Below are some popular winter flowers you can plant right now to enjoy over the holidays and to give away as gifts to friends and family.
- Paperwhites
- Amaryllis
- Poinsettias
- Christmas cactus
- Cyclamen
- Christmas rose
- Pansies
- Primroses
- Camellias
- Winter Jasmine
Paperwhites
Paperwhites are a variety of narcissus that blooms in winter. They come in clusters of fragrant white flowers and are generally quite hardy.
Paperwhites can be planted directly into the garden for a permanent display or grown indoors to enjoy their sweet scent during the colder months.
To care for paperwhites, ensure that they are planted in well-draining soil, and provide plenty of light. Water them on a regular basis to keep the soil moist but not too wet.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a beautiful winter flower with large trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of red, white, pink, orange, yellow, and more.
The bulbs are planted in the fall before the first frost so they can enjoy some cold weather before growing into their full glory come springtime. Plant amaryllis bulbs 6 inches deep in rich potting soil and place them in a warm sunny spot with very bright indirect light.
Water sparingly until they show signs of growth then provide enough water to keep the top inch of soil moist at all times.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are a very popular holiday decoration that adds cheer and warmth to any home. These festive plants are native to Central America, where they have been grown for hundreds of years for their ornamental value.
Although somewhat delicate in nature, poinsettias are relatively easy to take care of when given the proper attention—some direct sunlight, regular watering, and temperatures above 60°F will do the trick.
Plus, with its bright colors (typically deep red or pinkish-white), these wintery flowers add a welcome pop of color to rooms with otherwise dreary colors.
The best part about these occasional plants is that you can keep them as long as you like by putting them in a closet at night—this “rest” mimics their natural winter dormancy period and prevents them from dropping leaves or drying out too quickly.
Poinsettias make great accent pieces during the holidays, so be sure to pick some up soon! They’re sure to bring some cheer into your home this season!
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus is a winter flower that’s native to Brazil, and it’s most commonly found in shades of white, pink, and red. It blooms during the winter months and can last for up to six weeks! When caring for Christmas cactus, be sure to provide it with plenty of bright indirect light throughout the day.
Water them regularly but don’t over water; they should only be watered when the top inch of soil has dried out completely. You can also add a little bit of fertilizer every couple of weeks during the growing season (spring through summer) to ensure healthy growth.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen are small plants with large showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They’re a great choice for winter gardens in California as they can tolerate temperatures down to -3°F!
When caring for cyclamen, be sure to keep them in bright but indirect light and water them just enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Cyclamens also need lots of fresh air so if you’re growing them indoors, be sure to open some windows or turn on a fan every once in a while.
Christmas Rose
The Christmas rose is a hardy winter flower that has delicate white petals with yellow centers. It blooms during the winter months and is relatively easy to take care of—just give it plenty of sun and water regularly!
When planting Christmas roses, make sure to plant them in well-draining soil and keep the soil moist but not too wet. You can also add some fertilizer every few weeks during the spring through summer.
Pansies
Pansies are winter-blooming flowers that come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. These cheerful little flowers make great additions to gardens as they’re quite hardy and easy to take care of—just give them plenty of sun and water regularly!
When planting pansies, be sure to use well-draining soil and provide enough light for your plants to thrive.
Primroses
Primroses are small winter flowering plants that come in many different colors. They’re perfect for adding a pop of color to your winter garden! To care for primroses, keep them in bright but indirect light and water when the top inch of soil has dried out completely. Don’t forget to give them some fertilizer for more blooms!
Camellias
Camellias are winter flowering plants with large, showy flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and white. These plants are native to China and Japan and have been grown for centuries due to their ornamental value! When caring for camellias, be sure to provide plenty of bright indirect light throughout the day.
Water regularly but don’t over-water; camellias should only be watered when the top inch of soil has dried out completely. Give them some fertilizer to enjoy more flowers as well.
Winter Jasmine
Winter jasmine is a winter-flowering vine that comes in shades of yellow, white, and pink. It’s a great choice for winter gardens in California as it can tolerate temperatures down to -4°F!
When caring for winter jasmine, be sure to keep it in bright but indirect light and water regularly. Give your jasmine some fertilizer every few weeks to enjoy more flowers during the growing season.
Winter Flowers Care and Design Tips
When it comes to taking care of winter flowers, the most important thing is to give them enough light and water. Make sure that the soil drains well and that you don’t over-water your plants. You can also add a little bit of fertilizer every couple of weeks during the growing season (spring through summer) to ensure healthy growth.
If you’re looking for some design inspiration for your winter flower garden, try planting a mix of different flowers with varying colors, shapes, and sizes! You can also add evergreen shrubs or trees for a pop of color year-round. And if you want to make your winter garden even more special, consider adding outdoor lighting or some decorative accents like tre
Container Gardening with Winter Flowers
Container gardening is a great way to add some winter flowers to your garden without taking up too much space. All you need are containers with good drainage, potting soil, and the plants of your choice!
Make sure that the containers have enough room for root growth and that they’re placed in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Water regularly but don’t over-water; when it comes to container gardening, less is more!
No matter which winter flowering plants you choose or how you design your winter flower garden, be sure to enjoy every moment of it! Winter gardens can bring plenty of beauty and joy into our lives—even during the coldest months of the year. So get out there and start planting your winter flower garden today!
Designing with Winter Flowers
Creating a winter garden with these winter flowering plants is easy! Start by choosing a sunny spot in your yard and then plan out where you would like to plant each flower.
You can mix and match different varieties of flowers, or opt for one type of flower in several colors. Once you have the layout planned out, be sure to prepare the soil before planting by adding some compost or fertilizers.
When it comes time to actually plant each flower, make sure that they are planted at their appropriate depths according to the instructions on the seed packet or plant label.
Once all your winter blooms have been planted, don’t forget about them! Make sure to water regularly and provide enough light for each flower; specific care instructions can be found on the seed packet or plant label.
With a little bit of work and care, you’ll have a beautiful winter garden in no time! Enjoy your blooms throughout the cold winter months and bask in the beauty of nature.
Questions About Winter Flowers
Below are some questions you may have about growing holiday winter flowers in California and elsewhere.
What kind of flowers bloom in the winter?
Winter-blooming flowers include paperwhites, amaryllis, poinsettias, Christmas cactus, cyclamen, Christmas rose, pansies, primroses, camellias, winter jasmine, and more.
What is the best flower for winter?
This will depend on your climate and preferences. Some popular winter flowers include paperwhites, amaryllis, poinsettias, Christmas cactus, cyclamen, Christmas rose, pansies, and primroses.
What flowers bloom in winter UK?
Popular winter-blooming flowers in the UK include snowdrops, crocuses, hellebores, winter heathers, and winter jasmine.
Holiday Winter Flowers
With so many wonderful winter flowers to choose from in California, there are endless possibilities for creating a stunning winter garden. Whether you go for bright pops of color or subtle shades, the possibilities are truly endless!
Just remember to research each individual flower so that you can provide them with the best care possible – then enjoy watching your winter garden bloom. Happy planting!