Top 9 Flowering Plants Offering Winter Appeal
As your garden prepares for winter's hibernation and eagerly awaits the emergence of spring bulbs and shrubs, you don't have to endure a barren landscape. Introducing perennials for winter interest can add another layer of allure to your garden's design, even if you only get to enjoy them through yourwindowpane on a frosty winter day.
Many perennials can adapt to the chilly months and complement your existing shrubs and evergreens. These plants often maintain an upright shape throughout winter, offering height and texture, while dried seedheads add another level of charm. Some perennials even thrive during the colder weather months.
When selecting perennials, ensure they are capable of enduring freezing temperatures in your USDA zone (look up your zone here). Additionally, pay attention to a plant's mature size so you don't place it too close to existing plantings, resulting in overcrowding and maintenance difficulties down the line.
Now, let's dive into the best perennials for winter interest in the Southern regions.
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Hellebore
- Botanical name:Helleborus spp.
- Sun exposure: Dappled sun to mostly shade
- Soil type: Well-drained, rich
Hellebores boast the most enchanting flowers nodding atop waxy evergreen foliage. Also known as Lenten roses since they bloom around Lent before Easter, these flowers last from winter's depths to early spring. They are also resistant to deer, rodents, and rabbits, while gradually forming an evergreen carpet, especially underneath deciduous trees.
Varieties for the South: Winter Dreams, Flower Girl, Confetti Cake
02of 09
Bergenia
- Botanical name:Bergenia crassifolia
- Sun exposure: Full sun to full shade
- Soil type: Moist, well-draining, rich
Bergenia is a clumping perennial with lustrous cabbage-like leaves and appealing pink or purple flower clusters that appear in late winter, though they may bloom as early as December in warm climates. Some varieties even boast burgundy foliage. An interesting side note: Its common name, "pigsqueak," stems from the squealing sound made when a leaf is rubbed between two fingers!
Varieties for the South: Bressingham Ruby, Winterglow, Peppermint Patty
03of 09
Carex
- Botanical name:Carex spp
- Sun exposure: Shade to part shade
- Soil type: Well-drained, moist
The vibrant green, golden, or white variegated foliage of these mounding grasses adds pops of color to the landscape throughout the year. They are ideal for lining pathways, bordering gardens, or creating large plantings.
Varieties for the South: Everillo, Everest, Eversheen
04of 09
Hardy Cyclamen
- Botanical name:Cyclamen coum
- Sun exposure: Part shade
- Soil type: Moist, well-draining, rich
There are various species of cyclamen, but the winter-blooming type is Cyclamen coum. This variety features pretty heart-shaped leaves, often streaked with silver. The butterfly-like blossoms appear in early to midwinter and last for weeks. In summer, the plant goes dormant but emerges again when temperatures cool once more in the fall.
Varieties for the South: Cyclamen coum white, Cyclamen coum pink, Cyclamen coum marble-leaved
05of 09
Cordyline
- Botanical name:Cordyline spp.
- Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil type: Well-drained, moist
Cold-hardy variants of tropical cordyline provide year-round color in gardens in the Middle and Southern regions of the United States. With its strong, upright presence and pink or burgundy bladed leaves, it offers a striking contrast to the garden's more muted shades of green.
Varieties for the South: Design-A-Line, Charlie Boy
06of 09
Beautyberry
- Botanical name: Callicarpa americana
- Sun exposure: Full to part sun
- Soil type: Well-drained, moist
Originating from the Southeastern United States, beautyberries are actually shrubs, but the brilliant purple jewel-like berries, which appear in clusters in fall and winter, make them a must-have for winter landscapes. This plant is often deer-resistant, and you can even make a flavorful jelly by harvesting the berries before the birds do.
Varieties for the South: Pearl Glam
07of 09
Japanese Aralia
- Botanical name:Fatsia japonica
- Sun exposure: Part shade or shade
- Soil type: Moist, well-draining
This striking evergreen boasts giant palmate leaves with breathtaking variegation that changes throughout the season and matures with age. The eye-catching, round clusters of white flowers emerge in mid-fall, providing pollinators with blooms when other plants have faded. It makes a spectacular specimen plant or works well in a mixed border.
Varieties for the South: Spider's Web
08of 09## Heath
- Botanical name: Erica spp
- Sun exposure: Full to part sun
- Soil type: Well-drained, sandy; does not tolerate clay
This evergreen shrub provides an appealing texture throughout winter in the Upper and Mid South regions. However, what truly captivates is the explosion of pink blossoms that emerge late winter to early spring. There's a variety of options, so be sure to examine the plant tag thoroughly to select a winter-blooming type. This plant is frequently mistaken for heather, which belongs to the same family (Ericaceae), but heather is classified under the Calluna genus and is more tolerant of cold conditions.
Southern Options: Springwood White, Springwood Pink
Coneflower
- Scientific name:Echinacea species
- Light exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-drained, suitable for most types
The vibrant, daisy-like flowers of coneflower come in a wide range of colors, from fiery pink to vibrant coral, to brilliant yellow or pristine white. Although this hardy perennial blooms during the summer through fall, the dried seedheads contribute an interesting texture to the winter scenery and are also a favorite among birds.
Southern Options: Crazy Pink, Kismet Intense Orange
After exploring various gardening ideas, you might consider incorporating SouthernLiving's recommended outdoor plants for winter interest. Perennial plants like Hellebore, Bergenia, Carex, Hardy Cyclamen, Cordyline, Beautyberry, Japanese Aralia, Heath, and Coneflower can add charm and color to your garden during the chilly months. Coneflower, for instance, with its vibrant daisy-like flowers and dried seedheads, offers an appealing texture even in winter. Be sure to select perennials that are suitable for your USDA zone and consider their mature size to avoid overcrowding and maintenance difficulties.