The hardest part of writing an article on winter flowers is that the list of flowers that bloom in winter months naturally varies by growing zone. More than that, winter blooming flowers can vary even within the same hardiness zone depending on microclimates or seasonal changes.
Hardiness Zones Impact
Most of the flowers that bloom in winter are either late fall or early winter blooming. Others are late winter, early spring blooms, depending on your location and the kind of season you’re having. But there are many lovely winter flower options to consider.
So use this as a general guide to flowers that bloom in winter but always check for your specific hardiness zone before planning and planting your winter garden.
An annual flower in a cooler hardiness zone might be a perennial in a warmer zone
Winter-Blooming Flowers by Colors and Growing Zones
In the winter-blooming flowers lists that follow, we have one long list and then have broken that into smaller ones sorted by flower colors as well as by annual and perennial winter flowers. However, once again, an annual flower in a cooler hardiness zone might be a perennial in a warmer zone, so if you find conflicting information on plants here and elsewhere, that could be the reason.
When you add the options of late fall/early winter flowers, and late winter/early spring flowers, the options for floral color on barren winterscapes increase significantly. While some years you may not seem them in winter, you will see them come spring, often surrounded by snow and those first bright signs of spring are always welcome and well worth planting for extending your floral growing seasons, and bidding in the new ones.
So let’s get started with this list.
If you have any insight or feedback on your favorite winter flowers that aren’t on this and should be, please drop us a note with that flower name and we’ll be glad to add it.
When considering winter blooming flowers, keep in mind the variables of your specific hardiness zone.
LIST OF FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN WINTER
- Aconite, Winter, (white)
- Buttercup, aka Winter Aconite, (yellow)
- Crocus
- Daphne Shrub
- Gloire des Rosomanes
- Glory of the Snow
- Hellebores
- Holly, English
- Holly, Winterberry
- International Herald Tribune
- Jasmine, Winter
- Nemesia
- Pansies
- Pheasant’s Eye
- Philippine Violet
- Pieris
- Snowdrop
- Sweet Pea
- Winter Aconite
- Winter Jasmine
Blue Flowers That Bloom in Winter
Pink Flowers That Bloom In Winter
- Hellebores
- Daphne Shrub, Winter Daphne
Purple Flowers That Bloom In Winter
Find our complete guide on purple flowers here.
Red Flowers That Bloom In Winter
White Flowers That Bloom In Winter
Yellow Flowers That Bloom In Winter
Roses That Bloom In Winter
Annual And Perennial Winter Blooming Flowers
Annual Winter Flower
Annuals in colder hardiness zones are often perennials in milder growing zones. So always determine each plant by your zip code’s hardiness, and if you’re having a hard time finding it, check in with your local agricultural extension service.
- Nemesia
- Pansy / Pansies – (biennials often planted as annuals)
- Sweet Pea
Perennial Winter Flowers
Perennials in mild hardiness zones are often annuals in colder growing zones.
- Aconite, Winter Aconite
- Crocus
- Daphne Shrub, Winter Daphne
- English Holly
- Gloire des Rosomanes
- Glory of the Snow
- Hellebore
- International Herald Tribune
- Jasmine, Winter Jasmine
- Pansy / Pansies – (biennials)
- Philippine Violet
- Pieris
- Snowdrop
- Winterberry Holly
Always double check hardiness for your specific area before planting. To check by zip code is even more reliable because of microclimates that can cause one area within a zone to vary. More than that, even your own yard can have microclimates.
For example, we can grow plants that are more sensitive against our southern facing stone exterior wall which offers protection from the other three directions while providing passive solar warmth.
“From December to March, there are for many of us THREE GARDENS: The garden outdoors, the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind’s eye.”
~Katherine S. White, writer, editor, 1892-1977
FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN WINTER
Images and Descriptions in Alphabetical order
Here are some visuals with descriptions and information on winter-blooming flowers from the lists above. We hope you enjoy this scroll through some of the hardy winter flowers that grace wintry landscapes with color and beauty from late fall to early spring.
We’d love to see photos of your winter-blooming flowers and add them here with tribute to you. Just send ’em on over with the name and any comments or information you’d like to add.
Aconite: Winter Aconite, AKA, Buttercup – Eranthis Hyemalis (Cilicica group), Zones 4-9
A member of the Genus Ranunculus, the Eranthis Hyemalis is a late winter, early spring blooming flower. Winter Aconite typically pops up even before Crocuses.
These bright yellow Winter Aconite, also known as Buttercups, offer lovely bright bursts of spring color and can even withstand snow.
Buttercups are deer resistant and easy to grow in humus rich soil. This Winter Aconite easily re-seeds, so if you don’t want it to spread, plant it in a pot.
Winter Aconite does best when planted outdoors in the fall but may also be propagated by seed and grown in a cold frame if you desire. Sow directly in the ground, or add to containers or raised flower beds.
See some lovely white fall aconite in this fall flowers article.
