Late Winter Bloomers

winter bloomers https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Winter Gardens are colorful too!

Right when I think our garden looks its worst, all cloaked in browns and greys, along come these amazing winter bloomers to liven it up! Under that snow and despite the freezing temperatures, these hardy beauties have been preparing to kick off the gardening season. If you haven’t become acquainted with them yet, you will want to incorporate some Hellebores, Witch Hazels and Mahonias into your garden plan soon.

I just discovered the beauty of Witch Hazels a few years ago while attending a horticulture lecture and had to add them to our garden! Deciduous shrubs, these unassuming branches burst into bloom in late winter, often while the snow is still on the ground. Look for fragrant varieties in colors that range from yellow to orangey-reds for an early pop of color in your flower beds. Although they are categorized as shrubs, many become quite large, so give them space to grow. The name Witch Hazel was derived from the European Wych Elm. It was used as divining rods by the early American colonists. Medicinal witch hazel, an astringent for external skin care, is produced from the leaves and bark.

 

Witch Hazel https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Witch Hazel in bloom

witch hazel https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Witch Hazel in bloom

Mahonia is an evergreen shrub I inherited when we moved to Our Fairfield Home and Garden. What a prize! Also known as Oregon Grape, the nameĀ Mahonia was in honor of Bernard McMahon, a Philadelphia horticulturist, who introduced it from plant materials gathered in the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Quite deer resistant because of its spiney leaves, Mahonia is one of the earliest blooms in our garden and the berries that follow are beloved by the birds. (* note: Mahonia is considered invasive in some areas – check with your extension office or local nursery before planting)

Mahonia https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Mahonia in bloom in March

Mahonia berries https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Mahonia berries attract birds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hellebore https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

a white Hellebore variety in bloom

 

 

Perfect for the partially shaded or woodland garden are the Hellebores, a frost-resistant evergreen group of perennials which bloom in late February and early March here. They are actually referred to as “Lenten Rose” because they bloom around Lent each year. Wonderful planted around deciduous shrubs and under trees, hellebores are now available in a range of colors as well as single- and double-flowered varieties. They will multiply slowly by seed and can also be divided after a few years. Be aware that they are toxic and should not be planted in an area where small children or pets might give them a nibble!

Hellebore https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Hellebore blooming in a March snow

Hellebore https://ourfairfieldhomeandgarden.com/late-winter-bloomers/

Hellebore Blooming in March

 

 

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