While summer and spring are without a doubt the best seasons to enjoy flowers, you don’t have to live completely in the absence of the natural beauty of live plants and blooming flowers all through the winter. In Trumbull, some of the hardier flowers planted in outdoor gardens can start to bloom as early as February. You can also bring plants and flowers inside to enjoy those that naturally bloom during the winter months. Our professional florists at City Line Florist chose five our favorite winter plants to share with you!
1. Amaryllis
The amaryllis is our top favorite flower of winter because it’s a perfect and unique choice for celebrating the holiday season. Amaryllis bulbs unfailingly bloom about six to eight weeks after they are first planted, which means it’s easy to time their blooms for the holidays. The amaryllis blooms with vibrant clusters of large, bright-red flowers.
Amaryllis plants are easy to care for. Potted amaryllis bulbs come ready to thrive. Surrounded with well-draining soil, amaryllis plants like to be watered when the soil dries out and enjoy a place with plenty of sunlight. A cousin of the lily, amaryllis plants are toxic for both plants and people, so it’s best to display them out of the reach of small children and household pets.
2. Snake Plants
These vibrant green plants shoot up from their pots with tall, spire-like leaves. They’ll keep the air inside your home fresh when all the windows are closed in the winter because they’re able to remove toxins from the air. They’re also super easy to care for, as they’re tolerant of drought (you can forget to water them without consequences) and they can also survive in low-light conditions.
3. Christmas Cactus
Another holiday favorite, the Christmas cactus blooms during the holiday season. These plants feature exotic, tubular flowers that come in a variety of colors from festive reds and whites to pinks and oranges. Other varieties of this cactus family, the Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus, bloom near the time of their respective holidays.
Although these plants are technically cacti, they’re not as tolerant of drought as other cacti and succulents. Native to forests of Brazil, Christmas cactuses prefer filtered sunlight, humidity, and they like to be watered regularly in well-draining soil.
4. Succulents
Some sedum succulents can tolerate surprisingly cold weather, but we also love them as indoor plants. They’re available in a variety of shades from sage green to dusty rose. Plus, some succulents even bloom to add a little extra color to your winter!
For healthy succulents that you can enjoy for years to come, be sure to pot these desert dwellers in soil that drains well, water them sparingly, and provide them with plenty of sunshine.
5. Orchids
It’s estimated that almost 30,000 different species of orchids grow all around the world. Each type of orchid is beautiful in its own uniquely exotic way, and we love them for their delicate looks and variety of colors.
Sensitive to temperature changes, they tend to bloom in the colder months of winter, making them the perfect choice for a household plant during the dreariest time of year. In the wild, orchids tend to grow from the bark of trees in humid climates. As a result, they prefer to be kept in porous soil that drains well. They also like a humid environment. To make sure yours are extra-happy, be sure to spritz their leaves with water if the air in your home seems particularly dry when the furnace is running.
The Perfect Winter Plants for Hardiness Zone 6 in Trumbull
Just because we live a little further north in the USDA’s hardiness zone 6, doesn’t mean we have to completely forgo flowers and plants in the winter. In fact, there are quite a few plants that grow in throughout the winter in coastal Connecticut. Winter honeysuckle, Lenten roses, winter aconite, and Icelandic poppies can all start blooming as early as February in hardiness zone 6.
If you don’t want to wait until February for flowers, you can always keep an indoor garden. Plus, with an indoor garden, you can grow just about any flower or plant you desire because you’ll be able to better control the climate. For more winter garden recommendations, we welcome you to contact our experts at City Line Florist.
