Flowering in December: December gardens are often quieter, but a selection of hardy plants continues to provide color and interest even in the heart of winter. These plants are invaluable for brightening the landscape and supporting early pollinators on milder days.
Shrubs
– Camellia sasanqua: Produces delicate, lightly scented flowers in shades of pink, white, or red.
– Viburnum bodnantense: Clusters of fragrant pink or white flowers on bare branches.
– Mahonia: Spiky foliage paired with fragrant yellow flowers that attract winter pollinators.
– Winter-flowering honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima): Sweetly scented creamy-white blooms on bare stems.
Perennials
– Hellebores (Christmas Rose): Evergreen plants with nodding white or pink blooms.
– Cyclamen coum: Low-growing plants with vibrant pink, magenta, or white flowers above heart-shaped foliage.
– Bergenia (Elephant’s Ears): Occasionally produces pink flowers alongside bold evergreen leaves.
Bulbs
– Winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis): Bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers emerge early in milder regions.
– Snowdrops (Galanthus): Some early-flowering varieties may start blooming in late December.
Climbers
– Clematis cirrhosa: Evergreen climber with delicate cream or pale yellow flowers often spotted with red.
Wildflowers
– Gorse (Ulex europaeus): Bright yellow, coconut-scented flowers on hardy bushes.
Trees
– Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry): Produces tiny clusters of golden-yellow flowers on bare branches.
December blooms often stand out against frosty backdrops, making them all the more appreciated. For winter interest, pair flowering plants with evergreen foliage, colorful bark, and structural grasses to create a garden that shines in the colder months.
