Friday, December 11, 2009

What kind of plants or bushes bloom in the winter?

I have a camellia that I planted and it only blooms in the fall and winter and need some more ideas on plants or bushes that bloom in the winter. I live in NC so I am in zone 7.What kind of plants or bushes bloom in the winter?
There are many fine books on Winter Gardens, and you are so fortunate to live in zone 7!





I love Winter Gardens. Some of my absolute favorite plants include:





Sarcococca: there are two species generally available, Hookeri, which is a dwarf shrub, and Ruscifolia, which grows to about 3 - 4 feet. This is an outstanding glossy evergreen shrub which outdoes itself by thriving in the shade. Tiny white thread-like flowers make up for their visual insignificance by pouring out gorgeous perfume into the January air day and night...this year I have noticed it is starting early.





Hamamelis: Witch Hazel. These large shrubs/small trees are available in different species and hybrids. I particularly love H. Intermedia ';orange Beauty'; which covers itself in spidery blooms that smell of orange peel!





Lonicera Fragrantissima: this is not the easiest shrub to find, but it is SO worth it. Plant it where its ungainly habit will not become bothersome. In January, small honeysuckle blooms astound one with the scent of froot loops!





Cyclamen Coum: There are other Cyclamens that are winter-bloomers, but C. Coum is the one I have found to be the most readily available. Like florist Cyclamen, only tiny little guys suitable for underplanting and ground cover. Available in a hot pink and white. They reseed generously.





There are a few small bulbs that will bloom during mild spells throughout the winter, including snowdrops and certain of the small species of Crocus. Hellebores, among them H. Niger, H. Orientalis, H. Lividus Corsicus, or H. Foetida, are reputed to be winter bloomers, but always in my garden tended to just be very early spring bloomers after all.





Viburnum Bodnantense ';Dawn'; : this plant is wonderful for blooming pretty much nonstop from November to April, sometimes only a sprig at a time, but generally always something. It smells so sweetly in the cold air, and the marvelous bonus is that the tubular pink flowers provide food for those early hummingbirds.





Daphnes: Wow! Daphne is expensive and it is worth every penny. It packs a punch. Daphne Laureola is a fantastic evergreen with clusters of chartreuse blossoms hiding under the leaves in February and March that smell gloriously from about 10 pm to 3 am---you'll miss it if you don't go out and check! Daphne Mezereum blooms in February and is deliciously fragrant with dark purple flowers on naked stems. There is an albino form available. Daphne Odora Aureomarginata comes off and on all winter with completely staggering perfume --like lilacs on steroids! and unbeatable foliage.





Jasminum Nudiflorum is the winter-flowering jasmine. Hardy and scentless, the thin, arching, almost-leafless green stems are spangled with sunny stars whenever the weather warms a little, with the fullest bloom in midwinter!





The winter-flowering cherry, Prunus Subhirtella 'Autumnalis' really does flower at odd times of the winter. I once had a lovely one in full bloom on Christmas day!





Do not neglect to check out the marvelous berried shrubs and trees that will bring color and interest to the winter garden. Check out Callicarpa Bodinieri ';Profusion';, which generally causes interested gardeners to drive around the block to see it again, with its clusters of astonishing violet berries!What kind of plants or bushes bloom in the winter?
Tashi's got this one locked; I'll second the motion for witch hazels. You can find a type of witch hazel called the Chinese fringe tree, or loropetalum, at the big-box nurseries, but for better advice and varieties more suited to your area, patronize a local nursery.





I also second the daphnes; they're wonderful. I can't find them here in zone 8b, but when I lived at Yokota Air Base in Japan we had them by the front door. The perfume is exquisite and the shrub is very attractive.





For a bedding plant, you should look into the hellebores, also called Christmas roses or Lenten roses.





If you have a place for a couple of small trees, possumhaw holly is a wonderful winter spectacle. Possumhaws are native deciduous hollies with lots of berries; in the winter they are stunning. As with all hollies, you'll need a male and one or more females.
You might want to try some orchids since many of them bloom at all different times of year. Phalaenopsis are some of the common ones and can be found in most plant stores or nurseries. Just make sure you find out what conditions they thrive in since not all orchids need the same amount of light, water, etc. They have some of the most unusual flowers with color combinations in all colors of the rainbow and some have fragrant flowers.
You can get some really pretty color without blooms in the fall, I just bought nandina for their red color, and smoke bush, dark purple with pink blooms. Pansies should bloom fall and winter. I am not sure where you are. Alot of bulbs bloom in the winter.
Go to your local green house. I find the people who work there can show you the plants .You can see right there in front of you before you choose.Happy planting

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