If you're thinking that flower growing season is only from March to September, you're actually mistaken! There are a slew of winter flowers which are actually winter hardy and will happily grow right through the winter, even in snow. Perennials, annuals, and flowering shrubs can all easily grow in the middle of winter, provided you give them what they need.
For those that live in milder climates, you can even expect year round blooms from peonies, ornamental cabbages and kales, and violas. But of course, not all of these can grow everywhere. Check out your USDA zone before planting any of the following winter flowers. After all, you can't win with mother nature! Additionally, you should also follow the growing instructions for each winter plant. Make sure it receives enough sunlight, is protected from harsh winds, and receives enough moisture. Planting times are important as well. Some plants need to be put into the ground in early fall, while others do just fine being planted later in the season.
#1. Daffodils – USDA Zones 3-8
These very cold hardy flowers are often times the first sign of spring, but they can come as early as February. Even if there is still snow on the ground, the hardy daffodil won't mind whatsoever!
#2. Winterberries – USDA Zones 3-9
Adorned with bright red berries, this beautiful plant is the perfect addition to your garden, especially if you love the holidays! When cold weather begins, these plants will burst with red berries, and you can easily cut some to bring indoors for decorating!
#3. Pieris Japonica – USDA Zones 4b-8b
This is a beautiful evergreen shrub, also known as lily of the valley shrub, will produce white and pink blooms in late winter and early spring.
#4. Lenten Rose – USDA Zones 4-9
Also called hellebores, these beautiful flowers will bloom in early winter in mild climates, and later winter in colder climates. The very cold hardy lenten rose doesn't need much to thrive, and will even grow in the snow.
#5. Snowdrops – USDA Zones 3-8
Snowdrops should be planted in the fall, and by winter, you should have adorable little white and green flowers. Be sure to plant a bunch of them for the full effect, as they'll bloom right through the snow and look so enchanting!
#6. Violas – USDA Zones 4-9
You can see violas start to bloom in later winter or early spring. For milder climates, violas can last all winter long. And, even though they're annuals, they self-seed pretty freely, so you're bound to see lots of baby violas pop up in the next seasons.
#7. Winter Aconite – USDA Zones 3-7
Plant winter aconites in the fall, and watch as these sunny little flowers will bloom right through the snow. Bonus: if you live in an area with critters and/or deer, they simply won't go for them, so you can rest assured they're be left along.
#8. Cyclamen – USDA Zones 9-11
These delicate little flowers come in white, pink, and fuchsia and make excellent ground cover for milder zones. Plant these under deciduous trees so that they are shaded in the summer months.
#9. Winter Jasmine – USDA Zones 6-9
Although this variety of jasmine doesn't have any scent, you'll be happy to see its pretty little yellow flowers come through in the winter.
#10. Pansies – USDA Zones 4-9
Able to survive light frosts, pansies, like violas, are pretty cold hardy, and you can expect them to bloom in later winter or early spring.
#11. Winter Heath – USDA Zones 5-8
This is a small evergreen plant that has hundreds of little pink blooms, that look stunning against a winter landscape. These can bloom anywhere from late winter to early spring, and they'll go on for weeks and weeks!
#12. Glory of the Snow – USDA Zones 3-8
Plant these winter flowers in the fall, and by mid-winter you should have some stunning blue, white, or pink clustered flowers that will grow right through the snow.
#13. Crocus – USDA Zones 3-8
These adorable little flowers will bloom in late winter or early spring and they add a dash of color to an otherwise gray, wintery landscape. Rodents also love these flowers, so they'll easily spread them around for you.
#14. Ornamental Cabbages & Kales – USDA Zones 2-8
Plant these in fall, and you'll have them around all winter long if you live in a mild climate. If not, you can expect them to come up in late winter or early spring.
#15. Witch Hazel – USDA Zones 4-8
Be sure to look for the winter-flowering variety, and you'll have a beautifully yellow shrub in late winter or early spring. In the fall, these shrubs have stunning yellow foliage.
#16. Algerian Iris – USDA Zones 8-9
Although only hardy in USDA zones 8-9, these delicate little flowers will bloom on cold winter days and also have a sweet fragrance. The only downside? They can be a little hard to procure!
#17. English Primrose – USDA Zones 3-8
The English Primrose will start to show off white, pink, purple, yellow, or red blooms in the middle of winter.
