10 Flowers That Bloom in Winter

As temperatures cool outside, you may think it’s time to say goodbye to summer’s colorful blooms. But don’t put away those gardening gloves just yet — there are a number of flowers that bloom in winter too.

See more: What Is Cold Frame Gardening? And How to Get Started

Why Do Some Flowers Bloom in Winter?

You might be wondering why some plants have decided to be outliers when it comes to the typical spring-summer flowering schedule. It all has to do with evolution, and each plant has carved out its own niche in order to survive and thrive in its natural environment.

For instance, all plants compete for space. Winter flowering plants get a leg up in this category as they don’t have to fight for valuable real estate with spring-blooming plants and summer grasses. For forest flowers, blooming in the winter offers the advantage of accessing valuable sunlight before the trees become full with leaves, which block the sun’s rays from reaching the forest floor.

From the colorful, yet dainty pansy to the curiously shaped witch-hazel, here is a list of flowers to plant in winter.

1. Pansy

These hardy little winter flowers are perfect for borders and pots and will add a much-needed splash of color to an otherwise drab winter garden. Ideally, you should plant your pansies in the fall before it gets too chilly – this will support faster growth, which means more winter flowers. In cooler climates (Zones 4-6), pansies may go dormant during the harshest winter spells but should perk back up by early spring.

Zones: 4-10

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time: Fall, winter, early spring

2. Hellebore

Hellebores are another winter-flowering plant. Also known as the Lenten rose or Christmas rose, they are one of the most sought-after perennials, according to PennState Extension. With roselike petals and a fragrant bloom, these stunning flowers come in a range of colors, from shades of pink and purple to yellow, pea-green and even black. Don’t be surprised if you see these hardy little winter flowers emerging from melting snow in your garden. Just be mindful of where you plant your hellebores if you have pets or children — all parts of these winter flowering plants are toxic when ingested.

Zones: 4-9

Exposure: Partial to full shade

Bloom Time: Winter, early spring

3. Snowdrop

Like hellebores, the dainty snowdrop is known for emerging right out of the snow, displaying its downward-facing white bell blooms. Plant your snowdrops in early fall for a stunning display in late winter to early spring. These winter-flowering plants are also pest-resistant and unlikely to attract other garden nemeses like rabbits, deer, chipmunks and mice. Snowdrops are a perennial, so they should pop up for years to come, but they go dormant over the summer.

Zones: 3-9

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time: Late winter

4. Viola

Violas may look dainty, but they can brave winter temperatures with the best of them. Like pansies, violas look great in borders and containers. Violas come in an array of vibrant colors, with individual varieties sporting solid hues of violet, yellow, orange and white. Multicolor varieties add extra pizzaz with combinations like white and violet or yellow and purple. This is another perennial, but it’s generally grown as an annual.

Zones: 4-9

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time: Fall, winter, spring

5. Crocus

Crocuses are another cold-weather garden champion. With petals that seem to reach for the sky and grasslike foliage, these winter flowering plants come in a range of colors like pink, red, orange, yellow, purple and blue. These low-maintenance perennials also multiply in your garden year after year, creating bigger and better displays as they go. Crocus plantings work well in mixed borders and rock gardens.

Zones: 3-8

Exposure: Partial to full sun

Bloom Time: Late winter, early spring

6. Winter Jasmine

As its name implies, winter jasmine is another cold-weather bloomer. Bearing bright yellow, funnel-shaped blooms, this winter flower is a great selection for mass plantings and as ground cover. As a shrub, winter jasmine grows up to 4 feet tall, but it can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet if grown as a vine over a trellis or up a fence (it will need some training, though). Unlike jasmine, winter jasmine lacks scent. Expect blooms from these winter-flowering plants to last for up to two months.

Zones: 6-10

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time: Late winter

7. Ornamental Kale

While not exactly a flower, ornamental kale takes on the appearance of a blooming flower with its colorful rosettes of foliage. This cold-weather stunner comes in a variety of colors like white, pink, purple and red. These colors get even more vivid as the mercury drops. In addition to livening up your garden, ornamental kale is often used as a garnish on plates in lieu of parsley. This plant can survive temperatures as low as 5 degrees.

Zones: 2-11

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time: Fall, winter

See more: 10 Fun Indoor Gardening Projects to Do This Winter

8. Winter Aconite

Winter aconite is yet another winter-flowering plant that often emerges from late winter snows. Its small yellow flowers resemble buttercups. You can plant winter aconite in rock gardens, flower beds and woodland gardens, and it looks great alongside hellebores. However, be cautious with this plant if you have children or pets — both the plant and tuber are toxic if ingested.

Zones: 3-7

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Bloom Time: Late winter, early spring

9. Witch Hazel

This shrub’s ribbonlike petals come in an array of colors from red to yellow. They start blooming from bare branches in late winter, and flowering can last for eight weeks or more. These winter flowers generally burst into bloom during a warm spell. If the temperatures chill again, their petals temporarily curl up, unfurling again when the weather warms. Witch hazel is known for its citrusy fragrance, and a few cut branches in a vase will spice up any room.

Zones: 5-8

Exposure: Full sun

Bloom Time: Mid- to late-winter

See more: 11 Things You Can Grow in Your Winter Garden

10. English Primrose

English primrose is another flowering plant that thrives in cold weather. It’s known for its clusters of yellow, white or pink flowers that don a dark yellow center. Primroses are generally known as spring-flowering plants, but this variety can start blooming in late winter.

Zones: 4-8

Exposure: Partial shade

Bloom Time: Late winter, early spring