During the winter, many plants remain at rest, waiting for the temperatures to rise again to continue their growth. But there are others that dare to bloom, or continue to do so, before the frosts arrive or shortly after. In fact, when the weather allows it, it is possible to have a balcony with flowers even in the months when the trees remain without leaves.
But which species are cold hardy enough to flower during the winter season? As well, Here is a selection of plants that bloom in winter.
Almond tree (Almond)
El almond It is a deciduous tree that I have seen bloom until January in Mallorca. It is native to Central Asia, but since it has been cultivated in Spain for more than 2000 years, it is easy to think that it originated in this country. It grows to a maximum height of 10 meters, but it is pruned so that it does not exceed 5-6 meters.. Thus, it is easier to collect its fruits: the almonds, something that is done between the middle and the end of summer, depending on the area (where I live, for example, it is usually done between the third and the last week of August).
When the winter is not too harsh, or if the temperatures recover soon, its branches sprout white or pink flowers at the beginning of the yearlong before the leaves do. Of course, if you want it to produce many almonds, you must bear in mind that it needs a minimum of 200 hours of cold, that is, that for 200 hours the temperatures must be below 10ºC.
Aloe candlestick (Aloe arborescens)
Image - Flickr / brewbooks
El aloe chandelier, also called octopus plant or acíbar, is a species of shrubby Aloe native to southeastern Africa. It can measure 4 meters in height, and develops thin stems of about 5 centimeters thick at most, in the upper part of which there is a rosette of leaves with a more or less triangular shape, fleshy, green and with a toothed margin. From the center of them comes the inflorescence, which is a cluster with scarlet orange flowers.
Y, when does it bloom? In the winter. Depending on the weather conditions, it will be at the beginning, middle or end of the season. For example, if it is hot, with temperatures above 15ºC, it is easy for it to bloom at first, but if on the contrary it is cold, it will do so when spring approaches. It resists up to -4ºC, but you should know that hail, and even more snow, damages the leaves.
Spanish Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)
El spanish carnation, simply called carnation or carnation, is a herbaceous plant that is very much ours. It grows in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in the Mediterranean region. The rosette of leaves does not exceed 15 centimeters in height, but when it blooms it produces a flower stem that can be about 30 centimeters long. Its flowers are of very varied colors: red, yellow, white, pink, bicolor.
It usually blooms in spring and summer, especially when the winter is especially cold. But when it is mild, without frosts, or with light frosts, you can do it as early as January, that is, in the middle of the winter season. Of course, keep in mind that 0º is fatal for flowers, although the plant resists up to -12ºC.
Gazania (Gazania freezes)
La gazania It is a plant about twenty centimeters tall, native to Africa that needs sunlight to grow properly, staying compact, but also for its flowers to open, thus attracting possible pollinating insects. That is why it is said that it is a spring plant and not so much a winter plant, but the truth is that can bloom throughout the year.
In addition, it withstands the cold very well, and if there is an occasional frost of up to -4ºC it will not suffer too much. Yes indeed, when temperatures begin to drop below 10ºC, flower production is suspended, but the ones that are fine by then will still open and close a few more times, until the cold of winter sets in.
common geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum)
El common geranium It is a plant that can become a small bush of 60 centimeters in height. It is a hybrid between Pelargonium inquinans y pelargonium zonale, which has rounded green leaves. The flowers arise from short stems throughout the spring and summer, but like the gazania, it continues to bloom through the winter. when temperatures are not too low.
In fact, from my own experience I can tell you that if in the cold months the temperatures remain between a maximum of 16ºC and a minimum of 5ºC, it flowers without any problem. When it starts to get cooler, it stops. Of course, it is more sensitive to the cold than the gazania: it will withstand a specific frost of up to -2ºC, but in case it drops more, you will have to protect it, for example, by keeping it indoors.
Japanese medlar (Eriobotrya japonica)
El japanese medlar It is an evergreen fruit tree that can also be used as an ornamental plant. It is native to southeastern China, and can be ten meters tall. It develops a wide crown, with a more or less rounded shape, and composed of long leaves that are dark green on the upper side and pubescent on the underside. Its small flowers are white, 1-1,5 centimeters, and appear in clusters in late fall and winter.
They do it when the weather has already started to cool down, but there are no frosts yet. It is not a tree that requires spending a minimum of cold hours per year to bear fruit., which is why it can produce fruit without problems both in the Mediterranean region and in Madrid, for example. It resists up to -12ºC.
Phalaenopsis
All the phalaenopsis orchids They are one of the most loved houseplants. Originally from Southeast Asia, they have fallen in love with millions of people around the world for their curious and delicate butterfly-shaped flowers. Depending on the variety and cultivar, there are white, pink, red, orange, yellow, or bicolor flowers.. Their cultivation is very interesting, as they beautify the home throughout the year, especially in spring and autumn-winter, which is when they bloom.
In addition, flowers remain open for weeks (about five or six), so don't hesitate to get one. They are easy to care for as long as they are in a room with plenty of light and no drafts, are grown in clear plastic pots with holes in their bottoms, and are watered with rainwater or as pure as possible each time the roots grow. they look white.
Which of these plants that bloom in winter did you like the most?