Winter Flowering Annuals

There's fewer flowering annuals in winter but still enough to make gardening worthwhile. This article covers the most commonly available plants in USDA Zone 9.

White sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a staple of winter flower gardens. Long bloom, a freely reseeding habit and the ability to harmonize with other plant colors make it essential. Rose and violet colored forms are less vigorous but still fairly dependable. Plant out by six-packs during the winter, rather than from seed at other times.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a perennial that is best treated as an annual. They demand good care and some luck. Soil related problems often affect cyclamen, consequently, plant them a half inch to an inch above the soil line. Do not mulch up to their crowns. Be careful with watering since soil mixes used with these plants are very light; you may flood a bed with water and yet leave the cyclamen dry. Expect to lose several a season.

Cyclamen

Iceland poppies (Papaver nudicaule) are wonderful plants that require little attention. Select a wind-sheltered location where the large flower buds can develop to their best. Since buds may take weeks to open it is best to plant these poppies where they are not disturbed. Group them in masses by themselves; a few Iceland poppies are pretty but a large group in full bloom is not easily forgotten.

Iceland poppies

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majum) are fairly dependable winter annuals. Watch for cutworms that girdle stems and cause the plants to suddenly fall over. Plants bought in bud will not open until spring; keep plants inside until they do open up and then plant them outside. Snaps may require staking.

Stock (Matthiola incana) comes in many colors and shades that seem to fight each other. It is easier to mix a planting of these colors together rather than trying to make a statement with one. Cut off old flower stems on tall stock only, not on the dwarf varieties which respond poorly to any pruning. Taller stock may have to be staked but do not let this discourage you. A neat group of of staked plants looks much better than a group of lanky plants falling over each other.

Polyantha primroses (Primula polyantha) are big, bright and bold. There is an enormous color range. Plant sympathetically colored primroses together; do not attempt to contrast colors. Polyanthas demand a great deal of attention when their flowers are spent, they must be cleaned up and raggedy basal leaves removed. Feed polyanthas throughout the winter.

Polyantha primroses

The fairy primroses (Primula obconica and Primula malacoides) present a more elegant look than their polyantha cousin. Both of these primroses look better in clumps than in masses. Maintenance is low and insect problems are few.

Primula obconica

Violas (Viola cornuta) are difficult to grow well. They get leggy, attract cutworms, respond poorly to cutting back and they present a range of fairly insipid colors. Violas look best in the nursery flat: compact, well fed and massed. If you must grow violas, plant them close together and watch for cutworms.

Pansies (Viola hortensis) are as pleasant as their cousins are disagreeable. Sturdy, upright stems bearing large, two toned flowers that respond well to cultivation. Pansies that are predominantly yellow or white stand out best. Again, keep mulch and soil away from the crown and watch for cutworms.

A small chrysantheum (Chrysanthemum paludosum) is the last on our list of basic, winter flowering annuals. Paladosum sports tiny daisy-like flowers on many stems. It does better on heavier soils. Without the need for much fertilizer it slowly grows to about about a foot tall. There is no need for cutting back. Do not crowd plants with compost or bury the basal clump.

Chrysanthemum paludosum

There are many, many more annuals for winter use. But the plants mentioned here will do well if maintained well. A good, neat display of the most common plants will often be more pleasing than all the rarities of an unkempt plantsman's garden.

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