Often, our winter gardens can seem bare, leading many of us to dream of spring blooms during the cold winter months! Did you know that Middle Tennessee can grow several plants that bloom in winter?

By incorporating these into your garden, you're creating a four-season garden, as well as adding cheerfulness to your garden during the coldest months of the year! Learn about these plants below and consider adding several to your garden!

Lenten Rose (Hellebore)

• Plant type: evergreen perennial

• Sun needs: morning sun with afternoon shade or full shade

• Height: 1-1.5' tall x 1-1.5' wide

  
  

  Lenten Roses are beautiful, compact, and easy-to-grow perennials, great for adding color to late winter and early spring containers and beds! There are many varieties ranging from creamy white, rose, maroon, green, and light pink. Deer do not favor this plant. Lenten Roses need part to full shade.

Camellia (Camellia)

• Plant type: broadleaf evergreen shrub

• Sun needs: morning sun with good afternoon shade or full shade; plant in a protected area from wind

• Height: 6-12' tall x 6-10' wide, depending on variety

  
  

  Masses of flowers cover this beautiful evergreen shrub! Blooms in winter or early spring, depending on the variety. We only carry varieties that are hardy in Middle Tennessee; many Camellias are not hardy for our planting zone. Be sure to check if purchasing from another garden center. Plant in an area that is protected from wind (such as against the north side of the house or against a fence). You may need to cover with a frost cloth in heavy ice or snow.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

• Plant type: deciduous shrub

• Sun needs: full sun to part shade

• Height: 15-20' tall x 15-20' wide

  
  

  Witch Hazel's winter blooms are nothing short of fun and unexpected! Dainty-looking blooms (that resemble tiny party streamers!) adorn this shrub during the colder months of the year. Plant it in full sun for the best blooms and best fall color!

Violas (Viola)

• Plant type: annual

• Sun needs: full to part sun

• Height: 6-8" tall x 3-4" wide

  
  

  Several small flowers adorn each plant. Violas are also commonly called Johnny Jump-ups. They are similar to Pansies (below), but the main differences are that they are smaller flowers and they do not need to be deadheaded to bloom their best. This can be especially helpful when planting in a mass planting. Violas and Pansies come in a wide variety of colors. Their blooms are spectacular, as each one looks as though it were painted! Deer favor Pansies and Violas, so keep that in mind if planting near their habitat.

Pansies (Viola)

• Plant type: annual

• Sun needs: full to part sun

• Height: 6-8" x 3-4" wide

  
  

  Akin to Violas, Pansies have a larger flower and should be deadheaded to have the most abundant blooms. Pansies and Violas both have a long blooming season; you can begin planting them once our temperatures cool in early October, and they will bloom until mid-May, when our temperatures heat back up substantially. You can fertilize both Pansies and Violas in late winter to perk them back up for spring.

Crocus (Crocus vernus)

• Plant type: bulb

• Sun needs: full sun to part shade

• Height: 4-6" tall x 4-6" wide

  
  

  Crocuses are a small flowering bulb that pop up during winter, even through snow! They are cheerful little flowers that are best planted near a walkway or entry door where you can enjoy their blooms as you walk inside your home. Plant them in the fall for beautiful mid/late winter blooms! They bloom best in full sun locations.

Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

• Plant type: vine

• Sun needs: full sun to part sun

• Height: 10-15' tall x 3-6' wide

  
  

  Winter Jasmine is adorned with stunning yellow, star-shaped flowers along its branches from late winter to early spring, which emerge from distinctive burgundy flower buds before the leaves appear. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has emerald green deciduous foliage.

These plants add pretty blooms in a time period when not much is happening in the garden. By adding several of the above plants to your garden, you also help create a four-season garden, where there is interest year-round! We recommend planting winter-blooming plants where you can enjoy them from indoors, if possible. This way, on cold winter days, you can look out and see their beauty! A gentle, cheerful reminder that spring is on its way!