Winter Flowers in the Northwest

• The northeast represents USDA plant hardiness zones 3b to 7b. Plants within this large range have an average annual minimum temperature range of minus 30 degrees to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Grown in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes, winter flowers bring a vibrant burst of color to the landscape and are a mainstay in a cool-season garden.

Hellebore

• Hellebore (Helleborus 'Winter Joy Bouquet') is an herbaceous evergreen perennial and Lenten rose strain plant that thrives in cool weather. It grows 1 to 1 ½ feet tall and wide and bears a busy, clumping form. The cup-shaped, 2-inch-wide flowers on hellebore grow in a wide range of brilliant shades including, deep red, pink, creamy yellows and white. Hellebore bears dark green, deeply-cut foliage that is lance to elliptic in shape. As an evergreen, hellebore foliage remains vibrant through the winter. Long-lasting, hellebore emerges in February to last until April. It grows best in full to part shade and humus-rich, alkaline soil. Hardy, hellebore tolerates both summer heat and humidity. Grow hellebore in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.

Winter Daphne

• Winter Daphne (Daphne odora 'Marginata') is a variety of evergreen shrub that has a rounded form and moderate growth rate. Winter Daphne reaches a maximum height and width of 6 feet tall and bears rosy pink flower buds that open to white. The fragrant blooms on winter Daphne emerge in winter and early spring to create a vibrant burst of color to the landscape. The variegated foliage on winter Daphne has a thin yellow margin running around each leaf to create an attractive contrast in the winter garden. Hardy, winter Daphne is frost-tolerant. It grows best in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil that is slightly alkaline to acidic. Winter Daphne resents being transplanted. Grow winter Daphne in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 to 9.

Winter's Rose Camellia

• Winter's rose camellia (Camellia 'Winter's Rose') is a slow growing evergreen shrub that has a compact, spreading form. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and bears pink, 2-inch-wide, double flowers that bloom from fall into winter. Winter's rose camellia features dark green foliage that is leather-like to create non-stop color in a northeast winter garden. It grows best in light shade and well-drained soil that is moist. Grow winter's rose camellia in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9.