Early Bloomers

There is no need to wait for spring to enjoy the beauty of blooms. Even in frigid weather, our milder Willamette Valley offers us the joy and color of many early bloomers. Once the winter sun emerges on its long, slow climb northward, the flower buds on these plants burst open. They offer us a showy display of cheerful color during the dreariest of winter days. 

 

There are many perennials and shrubs that will give your landscape distinction this time of year. Witch Hazel, Edgeworthia and Sarcococca will offer you delicate winter blooms with the sweet scent of spring (see Scent of Spring p.XX). For bigger blooms that bring a late winter “WOW!” to your landscape here are some favorites of Al’s Garden Center nursery and perennial buyers Tim Mouzakis and Judy Alleruzzo.

 

When you think of bold colorful blooms it is hard not to think of camellias. Camellias bring beautiful blossoms in the midst of winter. There are two main species of camellias you will find in the Northwest, camellia sasanqua that bloom November through early January and camellia japonica that bloom late February through early March. 

 

There are over 2000 varieties of camellia japonicas. These graceful evergreen shrubs clothe themselves with hundreds of blossoms set against a lavish background of dark green leaves.  Their blooms range from pure white to dark red and everything in between. Some camellia cultivars even have multi-colored or variegated flowers. Flowers can be saucer shaped single flowers, double blooms, or a peony form camellia with ruffled double blossoms.  Japanese camellias prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, and require an acidic fertilizer like azaleas and rhododendrons.  And if you need a little spring for your indoors, budded camellia branches make beautiful cut flowers.

 

Magnolias have one of the most attractive blooms. There are 80 species of magnolias and you can find one that blooms each season, including late winter.

This is a very slow growing perennial shrub or small tree native to Japan with large showy white or pink flowers in early spring before the appearance of any leaves.   This tree grows about 15-20 feet in height and will spread about 15 feet in width at maturity. The shrub displays an attractive upright oval growth with a mounding habit as it matures. The slightly fragrant, star-shaped delicate flowers are followed by bronze-green leaves that change to dark green as the plant matures, and then yellow before they drop in autumn. This small tree is a welcome addition to any winter garden and brightens the landscape with its early, bright blossoms.

 

 

Our list of winter bloomers would not be complete without hellebores. This queenly perennial is at its peak of beauty in January through March, when it bears regal clusters of waxy blossoms in shades of plum, rose, pink, white, and chartreuse. Three exceptional varieties are highlighted here.

 

Pink Lady Lenten Rose - Helleborus orientalis ‘Pink Lady’

Graceful evergreen foliage accents the showy white flowers with a soft blushed pink tone. This shade loving perennial produces some of the first blooms of spring. It is a perfect addition to any woodland garden or perennial bed.

 

Red lady is a perfect presentation of deep red flowers that burst open in late winter to early spring. This shade loving perennial is deer resistant and an excellent accent in the woodland garden or perennial bed.

 

Silver Lace Lenten Rose - Helleborus orientalis ‘Silver Lace’

Beautiful silvery blue-gray foliage is sharply toothed when it emerges in the spring. From February to April, creamy-green cup shaped flowers top this eye catching plant. Hellebores grow best in moist, shady areas. They do exceptionally well in filtered sun under large shade trees or beneath groves.