The most beautiful winter flowerings

In regions subjected to cold and harsh winters, vegetation is in forced rest. The gardener, eager to see their peonies, roses, and other hydrangeas bloom again, impatiently awaits the scheduled end of this dreary season. However, many plants, far more than one might think, dare the cold to showcase their most beautiful flowers in winter. Here is a selection of essential bushes and perennials for winter:

1) The Hellebore or Christmas Rose

The hellebores (Helleborus niger and H. orientalis) are the princesses of winter (it should actually be said "Prince" as Hellebore is masculine)! Their flowers come in a wide range of colours and provide a spectacle until early spring. They are easy to grow in cool, semi-shaded soil. To learn everything about this superb perennial, discover our plant sheet: "Hellebores: planting and cultivating them"

The Helleborus niger Double Fashion (on the left) is the first to open the ball, its immaculate white flowers bloom in December, it is the only Christmas Hellebore with double flowers / Helleborus orientalis Double Picotee (on the right) is equally original. This variety blooms at the end of winter.

2) The Japanese Quince

The Japanese quinces (Chaenomeles japonica, C. speciosa) delight us with the earliness of their flowering. They offer simple or double flowers in colours ranging from fiery red, remarkable from afar, to pure white, with lovely salmon or apricot pinks in between. These are vigorous bushes, easy to live with and to associate, whether in hedges or in borders.

Two superb varieties: Chaenomeles Nicoline and Chaenomeles speciosa Kinshiden, one of the few with greenish-white flowers

3) The White Forsythia or Abeliophyllum distichum

The abeliophyllum distichum is a small Asian bush, native to Korea, that deserves attention! Very hardy, it offers graceful little white flowers with four petals and a yellow-orange centre on bare branches at the end of winter. Its modest size (1.5 metres in all directions) is ideal for small gardens or the front of shrub borders.

The white flowers of Abeliophyllum distichum are like snowflakes, it is also called the White Forsythia.

4) The Hamamelis

Sublime in the heart of winter, the Hamamelis also surprises with the original shape of its flowers. Its fine, elongated petals give it a particular charm, which is certainly why it is often referred to as "Witch Hazel." Considered by many as the "North's Mimosa," it is just as floriferous, only lacking the fragrance!

To learn more, discover our complete dossier: "Hamamelis: planting, cultivation, maintenance, and association"

Different varieties of hamamelis: H. pallida, Jelena, Feuezauber, and Amethyst

5) The Camellia Cinnamon Scentsation

Camellias are renowned for their winter flowering, but the variety 'Cinnamon Scentsation' particularly captivates us with its natural form and the sweet, refined scent of cinnamon from its numerous small pale pink flowers. Its flowering generally occurs in February and continues until the heart of spring. Compact, it is easily grown in the garden or in pots on the balcony or terrace.

The camellia Cinnamon Scentsation: a rustic camellia with highly fragrant flowers in winter

6) The Daphne odora

The Daphne odora is a shrub that can lead you by the nose because, in terms of fragrant plants, no other species can dethrone it! Indeed, its small deep pink flowers emit a powerful, intoxicating fragrance over a radius of 30 metres. In the garden, it enjoys shade and semi-shade as well as cool but well-drained soils. Its growth is relatively slow, but your patience will be rewarded with its wonderful fragrance. To learn everything about Daphnes, we invite you to consult our plant sheet: "The Daphne: how to plant, cultivate, and maintain it"

The Daphne odora aureomarginata, a shrub with evergreen foliage whose flowers exude an almost mythical fragrance

7) The Garrya elliptica

The Garrya elliptica or Elliptical-leaved Garrya is a beautiful shrub that reaches a height of about 3 metres. Original and very ornamental, it stands out in the heart of winter with its remarkable flowering in pendulous catkins, 20 to 30 cm long. But don’t be fooled by its precious appearance; it is indeed hardy (down to -12 °C) and even easy to grow. It particularly thrives in well-drained soil, in a maritime climate, or in any garden sheltered from cold winds.

The Garrya elliptica, a remarkable shrub in winter

8) The Winter Honeysuckle or Lonicera fragrantissima

Much less known than the climbing honeysuckle, the Lonicera fragrantissima forms a rounded, flexible, slightly spreading bush. Relatively discreet, it reveals itself in winter by covering itself with small, highly fragrant white flowers. Semi-evergreen and about 2 metres tall, it is a perfect candidate for free hedges or the back of borders. It is appreciated by bees, providing them with precious food, as well as by birds that consume its berries in autumn.

The winter honeysuckle is appreciated by bees, providing them with precious food, as well as by birds that consume its berries in autumn.

9) The Winter Clematis

In terms of flowering, climbing plants, and particularly clematis, are not to be outdone: in mild climates, adopt the Clematis cirrhosa such as 'Advent Bells', which bloom as early as the beginning of winter! And elsewhere, rely on a safe bet: the Clematis armandii, which, in addition to being evergreen, is hardy and blooms at the end of winter, in March-April.

10) The Winter Jasmine

The Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) shines with the brilliance of its flowers. It is a somewhat stiff, sprawling climbing plant that displays bright yellow flowers from December on bare branches, which further accentuates the effect. This jasmine will be perfect against a well-exposed wall where it will bloom abundantly.

Bonus - The Chimonanthus praecox

Many of you have reminded us about the Chimonanthus praecox, and you are right! Also known as Chimonanthe, this winter shrub stands out particularly for its fabulous fragrance. Native to China, it is a hardy shrub with a somewhat stiff habit that reaches 3 to 4 metres tall at maturity. From December, its bare branches are adorned with small, rather discreet yellow flowers. To get to know it better, I recommend reading Pierre's article: Chimonanthus praecox, an enchanting fragrance in winter

With the exception of Clematis cirrhosa, all these plants are very hardy and easy to grow. While some tolerate calcareous soils, others require rather acidic soil. To prolong these winter blooms as much as possible in cold regions, one piece of advice: plant them sheltered from cold, dry winds in winter, at the foot of a wall or hedge facing west or south. Protected, the flowers will bloom for a few more weeks!

Also read:

• 5 shrubs with colourful wood that you must have in your garden in winter
• The best ornamental bushes with decorative fruits
• Discover Olivier's tips for a beautiful garden even in winter: