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.
