Blooming tales comes alive this winter

Though winters are associated with a damp, cold, languorous vibe, the season still brings a different kind of beauty around. By waking up to a world covered in frost, where delicate ice crystals adorn every surface, giving a sense of purity and delicacy to the environment. Amidst this tenderness an extra ounce of serenity is added to the gardens with flowers that bloom despite the colder temperatures. Here are 10 winter-blooming flowers that can add colour and vibrancy to your garden during the winter season:

 1.     Hellebore (Christmas rose): Hellebores are known for their early bloom, often flowering in late winter or early spring. They come in various colors, including shades of pink, purple, green, and white.

 2.     Winter Jasmine (Jasminum Nudiflorum): This deciduous shrub produces bright yellow flowers and blooms from late fall through early spring. It adds a cheerful touch to winter landscapes.

3.     Pansy (Viola tricolor var. Hortensis): Pansies are hardy annuals that can withstand cold temperatures. They come in a variety of colours and are known for their “faces.”

 4.     Cyclamen: Cyclamen plants produce distinctive, upswept petals in shades of pink, red, or white. They typically bloom from late fall through winter.

 5.     Witch Hazel (Hamamelis): Witch hazel produces spidery, fragrant flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red. It blooms in late winter to early spring.

 6.     Camellia: Camellias are known for their elegant, rose-like flowers. Depending on the variety, they can bloom from fall through early spring, adding colour to the winter landscape.

 7.     Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis): This low-growing perennial produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers in late winter or early spring, often peeking through the snow.

 8.     Snowdrop (Galanthus): Snowdrops are small, bell-shaped flowers that are among the earliest to bloom in late winter. They symbolise the arrival of spring.

 9.     Viola (Violets): Similar to pansies, violas are hardy and can bloom in winter. They come in various colors and often have a sweet fragrance.

 10.  Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Winter-flowering heather adds texture and color to winter gardens with its pink, white, or purple blooms.

“The seasonal flowering plants have the advantage of a tremendous variety of colour, size and form. They occupy the garden space in less time and can be easily replaced. Annuals can be grown in beds, herbaceous borders, as an edging, for window boxes pots,” explains Abha Kulkarni, TGT Science at Apeejay School, Faridabad.

“In India, winter is the best time to grow many different species of beautiful blooming annuals. The seeds of winter flowering annuals are sown in October-November. Seedlings start growing and the plants have flowers in the months of November-February. Few examples of plants that can be grown in winter season in different parts of the country are: Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), Aster, Calendula (Pot Marigold), Clarkia, Dianthus (Sweet William), Hollyhock, Pansy,” she added.

DIY

If you are a keen gardener and wish to grow these marvellous looking winter blooms in and around your home, here are a few steps to follow –

·     Sow the seeds of your favourite flowers right before the winter sets in.

·     As the growth of plants during winters is less, start with proper-sized ones.

·     Plant according to the size of the container.

·     Flowering plants need soil to be 5 inches deep. So, select an earthen pot of six-eight inches, and bury the seed about 2 inches deep.