Though many consider winter a time of rest, those of us who like to grow flowers in containers will be keen to continue caring for plants. The best winter flowers for pots will keep us uplifted deep into the colder, darker phase of the year. And cold-season containers play a valuable role in the garden, adding color when conditions are cool and helping to support local wildlife. Here, we’ll explore several species of winter plants and flowering perennials that withstand the elements and offer growers lasting seasonal beauty in the form of gorgeous cold-season containers.
Choosing the Best Winter Flowers for Containers
Choosing the best winter flowers for containers can be a challenge. You’ll need to plan carefully, as each species must be well-suited for winter container growth. Good winter flowers for pots will need to demonstrate an exceptional tolerance to cold and produce an early-season bloom. Cold-season container gardening can include a mix of small shrubs, perennials, biennials and hardy annual plant species.
1. Camellia
Camellia plants are known for their ability to thrive when grown in pots and containers, though doing so successfully requires a few special considerations. Large camellia plants need to be repotted frequently, allowing them ample room to continue their root development. The best camellia care also relies on rich, well-draining soil, as potted specimens are likely to languish where conditions are less than ideal. While gardeners living within the plant’s USDA hardiness range (zones 7-10) may be able to overwinter potted camellias outdoors, you should move the plants to a sheltered location when conditions are harsh.
2. Hellebore
Among the first plants to begin blooming in winter, hellebores are exceptionally attractive in pots and containers. Gardeners appreciate their tolerance of cold and their ease of growth. If you’re growing this plant in pots for the first time, choose one that can accommodate a large root system. Fill deep containers with a quality potting mix that provides good drainage. Plantings made in fall or very early spring can then be situated in part shade, where they remain sheltered from direct sun. Hellebore flowers for winter pots are hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
3. Mahonia
Mahonia plants are amongst the most popular plants used in containers. The small shrubs are especially attractive in spring when their vibrant foliage can frame mixed plantings and perennial species. Select containers carefully, making certain they allow ample room for root development. Routine pruning may also be needed to maintain the desired size and shape of mahonia shrubs. These plants are hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
4. Pansy
Grown most commonly as annuals, pansies are some of the best potted flowers for winter. As cool-season flowers, pansies tolerate the cold well, often beginning to bloom late in winter. Small bedding plants can frame larger flowers or bulbs in containers, filling each pot with color. Pansy transplants can be found in fall at most garden centers. However, experienced growers often choose to start the plant from seed, allowing for greater selection and control over the landscape.
5. Snowdrops
Spring flowering bulbs are amongst the best winter plants for outdoor pots. Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are no exception. These delicate flowers are often some of the first to emerge from the soil, beginning to bloom in many climates while snow still covers the ground. Snowdrops are hardy to USDA zones 3-8.
6. Winter Aconite
A less common choice for winter containers, winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is known for its yellow buttercup-like blooms. Small plants grow close to the ground and cover the surfaces of pots and containers. Growing aconite in containers is a good way to prevent its spread throughout the garden. Winter aconite is hardy to USDA zones 4-7.
7. Winter Jasmine
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) offers a cold-hardy alternative to other species. Gardeners with limited space often choose to keep this plant in containers, situating it near porches and patios. To grow winter jasmine, select large pots, which accommodate the shrub’s size. Good drainage through winter prevents damage related to cold. Though these plants are hardy to USDA zones 6-9, gardeners living in cooler regions may need to protect their containers from freezing temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Pots are Best for Growing Winter Flowers?
The best pots to use as winter containers are those that don’t absorb moisture. Repeated freezing and thawing can cause more porous types like terracotta to crack and break over time. Pots made of metal, concrete, wood, and other similar materials are among the best options.
What are the Best Outdoor Planters for Winter Pots?
Outdoor containers for winter pots should be well-suited to the plant species being grown. Allow enough size for good drainage, as well as ample room for root growth throughout the growing season.
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