Most people assume that a beautiful garden can only be enjoyed during warm months. The cold winter days are often associated with dreary-looking gardens. It does not have to be the case because some plants thrive in winter. Winter-flowering plants can help to add color to their spaces during the cold, dark months. Residents who choose senior independent living can create a beautiful garden all year round. Here are plant options to brighten the winter season.
Helleborus Niger, or Christmas rose, is a great winter-flowering plant for senior independent living. The plant is the first hellebore to flower, occasionally flowering as early as Christmas, but mostly blooms from January to March. It produces large, round, white flowers above low mounds of deep green foliage. The perfect spot for the plant is along a partially shaded border.
Lonicera fragrantissima, or winter honeysuckle, is one of the best winter-flowering plants. The plant produces fragrant white-cream flowers on branches that are almost leafless. The plant attracts winter-active bumblebees, and it flowers from December to February. Sometimes, the flowers are followed by dark red berries.
Winter aconites produce golden yellow flowers resembling butter cups, surrounded by leafy divided bracts. They spread in clumps creating a beautiful yellow carpet complementing the snowdrops. The perfect spot for the plant is beneath trees or to naturalize grass. It flowers between February to March.
Viola x wittrockiana or pansies are bushy, low-growing perennials that are mostly grown as bedding plants. They have large, colorful flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The striking bi-colored flowers have dark centers that look face-like. They flower during spring and summer, but some are bred specially to bloom in winter, between November and March.
Daphne x transatlantica joins the category of the best winter-flowering plants. The colorful shrubs often bloom in late winter or early spring. They are great for small gardens, mixed borders, window boxes and large containers. They work well in gravel gardens and areas with dry shade. They have deciduous and evergreen varieties that bear clusters of small red, pink, white, or green flowers.
Clematis cirrhosa, or winter clematis, is a plant with evergreen, glossy foliage. The perennial climber produces creamy flowers that produce a delicate citrus fragrance. The color of the flower will depend on the cultivar. The plants do not usually need pruning, but where necessary and to restrict the size, light pruning may be done immediately after flowering.
Mahonia, also known as ‘winter sun’, is popular with bumblebees that are active in winter. They produce bear, thin spikes of yellow flowers, above glossy dark green leaves. They grow in places with moist, well-drained soil, and in areas that are partially shaded. They bloom from November to March.
Snowdrops usually herald the end of winter and are the first bulbs to flower in the year. There are different plant varieties ranging from single-flowered to double-flowered.
Residents in retirement communities can benefit from having plants and flowers around them. Other winter plants that can adorn the homes include winter heather, cyclamen, quince, winter cherry, witch hazel and winter jasmine. Contact us today or visit our community for more recommendations.