After the torrential rains of December, it is a wonder that anything is blooming in Pacific Northwest gardens. Thankfully there are great plants that survive the downpours and even flourish when everything else is a soggy mess. Along with the plants surviving, there are insects that winter over in the trees, and they love to see the sunshine just like we do. As soon as the lukewarm sun starts hitting the trees, the groggy bees stumble out looking for some food (kind of reminds me of teenagers). It is essential that we gardeners provide early-blooming plants for these very important members of our planet. Interestingly, some bees are not at all particular about their food supply, while others are. Our goal should be to provide both native food sources and ornamental garden food sources. Nature’s creatures have a way of adapting to what is available, but they also search for specifics. The following are a few of my favorite late-winter-blooming plants for pollinators.
Unexpected Winter Blooms
05.01.2024 - 08:44 / finegardening.com / Joseph Tychonievich
Joseph here, in northern Indiana, where normally December and January is an indoor-only gardening season, with lots of snow, frigid temperatures, and ground frozen solid.
Not this winter, though. We’ve been having absurdly warm temperatures, and bizarrely when everything would normally be deeply dormant, I still have things flowering!
Here’s what is showing off in my garden… do you have any winter bloomers going strong at home?
Most of what I have flowering are pansies (Viola x wittrockiana, cool season annual). I started these from seed in the fall, and didn’t really expect them to survive my winter in my window boxes. Well… they are surviving for sure!
This is one of the ‘Cool Wave’ series, pansies that make long, trailing stems. They look so good spilling out of my window boxes.
I also grew a bunch of the variety ‘Flirty Skirts’ which have these wonderfully ruffled blooms.
Some are more ruffled than others, but they’re all beautiful.
This bright yellow is a nice bit of sunshine in our typically cloudy winter weather.
And this Cool Wave variety has been so nice – lots of flowers, with a great pattern.
I also have snowdrops blooming! This is the species Galanthus elwesii (Zone 4 – 7) which I got because it is a little larger than the typical Galanthus nivalis (Zone 3 – 7). Last year they all bloomed in the spring, but with the warmer weather, I have a handful blooming now, and some that even started back in November.
I just planted these a couple year ago. I can’t wait for them to multiply into nice clumps.
Finally, I have primroses (Primula hybrid, Zone 3 – 8) blooming! These have always started early, but never THIS early. They’re a long way for full bloom, but it is great to see some color this time of year.
Have
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11 Tricks to Propagate Plants Successfully in Fall and Winter
Learn how to make your plants thrive in the colder months with these simple tricks for successful plant propagation indoors. From using mycorrhizal fungi to creating a greenhouse effect with cloche containers, these easy methods ensure your plants stay happy and healthy. Try natural solutions like willow water and tea water fertilizer, and consider coconut coir as a sustainable propagation medium. There are more below.
Here's Why You May Need To Water Your Houseplants Less In Winter
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Wednesday 19th May 2021 – An unexpected day at home.
Today I was only supposed to be working from 9am-1pm and was planning on being in my garden when I got home. But first thing this morning the heavens opened and it was going to be one of those on and off heavy rain shower days again. So having spoken to the client I was supposed to be visiting that day, we both decided that it would be better to take the morning off. It was good that I did, because it did exactly what it said on the tin.
Episode 151: Underappreciated Plants for Winter Interest
During the winter months many plants reveal subtle patterns, fine details, and a new range of colors that help us to see familiar beds and borders with fresh eyes. This is an excellent time to get outside, evaluate your garden’s bones, and make some plans for spring planting. In this episode Danielle, Carol, and their guest will explore some of the plants that fly a bit under the radar in winter months, but certainly deserve more attention. Do you have any of these underappreciated wonders in your landscape? If not, you may want to start digging holes as soon as the ground thaws to ensure that some of these unsung heroes get some well-deserved garden real estate. Will any of these winter beauties make it onto your wish list this year?
7 Daily Rituals to Help Beat the Winter Blues at Home
This time of year, it’s easy to succumb to the winter blues—which is especially true if you live somewhere that gets dark early.
Embracing the Winter Chill: Unleashing the Flavours of Winter BBQ
Winter brings with it a unique charm, transforming our surroundings into a serene winter wonderland. While the traditional notion of barbecues may seem reserved for warmer months, the prospect of a winter BBQ adds a delightful twist to the culinary experience. Picture this: a snowy landscape, the crisp winter air, and the enticing aroma of grilling delicacies. Winter BBQs not only defy the norms but elevate the outdoor dining experience to new heights.
Winter plants with colourful stems
Anyone in search of planting ideas for their garden in the colder months is spoilt for choice when it comes to sources of inspiration. Up and down Britain there are sterling examples of gardens planted for winter interest: Cambridge University Botanic Garden boasts one of the earliest; Wakehurst Place is home to one of the more recent; then there’s Bodnant, Dunham Massey, the Savill Garden – the list goes on. One thing they have in common though is that they’re all quite large, and gardeners could be forgiven for feeling they need a separate ‘winter area’ or hefty acreage to create anything worthwhile in their own plots. Not so, says David Jordan, senior gardener at Anglesey Abbey, who cares for its well-known Winter Garden and has a host of winter plants to recommend that will easily integrate into your existing garden.
Caring for house plants during the winter
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