In my last post, I commented on how late the Chrysanthemums were in coming into flower.

I am now surprised that the Pot Mums in December are still looking not bad at all.

It’s December the 1st and with nothing else in bloom, these mound forming Chrysanthemums are well worth planting in a few pots.

Pot mums are extremely easy to grow. The young plants arrive in late Spring and before long the mound of leaves cover the pots, and with very little care they come back again next year.

Here is a post I published a while back where I talked about Pot Mums in greater detail.

One day later in December the 2nd, this is what we got up to. Minus 5c, it’s not expected to last. This is about as cold as it gets in this coastal area.

A small selection of other Winter bloomers which add a bit of interest in the cold Winter months.

Camellia Williamsii Black Lace

Although at its very best in March the blooms of Blavk Lace start to open in January

Winter flowering Jasmine

Smothered in small yellow blooms from November till February. This picture was taken when we lived in Cheshire.

Snowdrop Nivalis

The common snowdrop although flowering in January/February makes me feel Spring is just around the corner.

Iris Reticulata Harmony

Another stunning Winter flowering bulb, looks great in the borders or in tubs.

Hamamelis

A deciduous shrub which gives a great show in late Winter.

Erigeron karvinskianus

Fair enough, this perennial plant isn’t exactly what you would refer to as a Winter flowering plant. In fact, it looks fantastic in Summer and Autumn. However, in the last two years it was blooming and looking good in December.

Polyanthus

This Spring flowering plant very often can’t wait that long and will have flowers in mid-Winter.

Point of interest, do you know the difference between Polyanthus and Primroses. Polyanthus have quite long stems with a bunch of flowers on each. Primroses have very short stems with a single flower on each.

Mahonia Japonica

Sprays of yellow flowers starting in late Autumn and continuing through the Winter.

Skimmia Japonica Rubella

The flower buds of this Skimmia are at their very best in Winter

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