Winter Bloomers

Winter Bloomers

This is a list of my top five Winter blooming shrubs, of course there's more but these are some of my favorites for those (like me) who hate to see the first frost and lose those picture perfect blooms of Fall. With Texas heat my flowers seem to be at their best in Fall.

Eleanor Tabor Indian Hawthorne -

(Raphiolepis indica 'Eleanor Tabor')

This shrub loves minimal watering in clay, sandy, loamy, or silt soil. Has dark green foliage with pink flowers. Full to mostly sunny. Grows to an average height of 3” to 5” and spreads to apx. 4 to 6 feet. Drought, heat, and insect tolerant. Attracts song birds. Mounding and perfect for rock gardens. Soil PH should be around Soil pH: 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5. Young leaf-spot resistant foliage is often bright red-orange, maturing to a deep green. Zones 7-10.

Pewter Pillar  Winter's Bark

 ( Drimys winteri var. chiloense)

This Deciduous/evergreen reaches 15 to 20 ft. tall and wide. Has Fragrant, Showy Flowers and dark green leaves with silvery white under side. Loves Partial to full sun and needs feeding at least weekly. Prefers humus rich, well-drained soils (who doesn’t) but adapts to most soil types. Easy to grow zones 7-10.

 Lore:

The very first export from South America as an excellent source of ascorbic acid, considered to be the first cure for scurvy.

Pink Fairy Duster

(Calliandra eriophylla)

 

This Deciduous/evergreen shrub has dark green leaves with beautiful dark pink flowers. Blooms late Winter to mid Spring and is great for rock gardens It is a big attraction for butterflies and hummingbirds. Drought tolerant and needs full sun. Slow growing, 1 to 3 ft. tall by 3 to 4 ft. wide. Zones 7-11.

  

Fragrant Star Azalea

(Azalea x 'Fragrant Star')

This fragrant deciduous shrub loves partial to full sun and blooms in Winter. Growing up in NC I remember this shrub as being a favorite for gardens. Prefers moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.  Reaches 4 to 5 ft. tall and 2 to 3 ft. wide in ten years.  Perfect for Asian/Zen, Cottage.  Easy to grow.  Zone: 5 - 9

Magenta Breath of Heaven 

(Coleonema pulchellum 'Magenta)

This evergreen shrub Reaches 4 to 6 ft. tall, 4 to 5 ft. wide. Magenta has a long bloom season with fragrant pink showy flowers. It is perfect for Cottage gardens. Does best with full to partial sun and regular weekly watering. Blooms late Winter through Spring. The pink showy flowers attracts butterflies. Zones 8-10.

Do you have a favorite that is not listed, then list it in the comments.