Winter Flowering Shrubs

Winters need not be flowerless! Here are a few shrubs that offer flowers during the winter season.

Camellia ‘Magnoliaflora’ (Photo: Phillip Oliver)

Camellia

Camellias may be unsurpassed for sheer winter beauty. A large selection of varieties are available. There are two major types –

• Sasanqua camellias begin to bloom in fall with some varieties (like ‘Yuletide’) beginning their display in December. Sasanquas have smaller flowers and leaves but produce a profuse display of blooms.
• Japonica camellias begin to bloom later than the Sasanqua. Beginning in the late winter months and lasting through spring, the flowers are larger and showier.

Mahonia ‘Charity’ (Photo: Oregon State University on VisualHunt)

Mahonia

Better known as “Oregon Grape”, this is an undemanding plant that grows everywhere from highway roadsides to woodland gardens. They look their best when situated in partial shade. Spiny leaves with cheery clusters of yellow flowers appear in mid to late winter. They are especially attractive to hummingbirds and offer a valuable food source.

Pieris ‘Passion Frost’ (Photo: Phillip Oliver)

Pieris

‘Andromeda’ and ‘Lily of the Valley Shrub’ are more popular names for this easy-to-grow shrub that performs well in a variety of conditions. Drooping clusters of bell-shaped flowers appear in winter and spring in colors of white, red or pink, depending on the variety. These plants like the same conditions as rhododendrons and do well in both sun and semi-shade.

Sarcococca (Photo: Phillip Oliver)

Sarcococca (Sweet Box)

The scent from the sarcococca flowers will probably get your attention first. Searching for the source reveals the tiny, cream-white, fringe-like flowers on this low-growing, shade-loving evergreen shrub. The highly fragrant flowers begin to appear in January or February and can be detected from far away.

Viburnum ‘Spring Bouquet’ (Photo: Phillip Oliver)

Viburnum ‘Spring Bouquet’

Viburnum is a diverse group of plants which includes both evergreen and deciduous types. Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’ is an evergreen variety that grows to 4-6 feet. Flowers appear during the winter months and are followed by purple metallic berries. It is a striking plant that can be used as a specimen or hedge.

Viburnum ‘Dawn’ (Photo: Kew on Flickr at VisualHunt)

Viburnum ‘Dawn’ 

Another viburnum, this one a deciduous type with dramatic fragrant pink flowers that appear from fall to spring. This can be a sizeable shrub so it needs plenty of room.