Six Winter-Blooming Shrubs for the Northeast

Bring color and cheer to white and gray days with these flowering selections

People often stretch the definition of “ winter - bloom ” to include leaping - flowering bush such as forsythia ( Forsythiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) rather than using it to report industrial plant that realistically bloom when snow is still on the ground . But in the more temperate zona of the Northeast ( Zone 5 and higher ) , there are a few winter foul-up that impart genuine winter pursuit . A few are even deserving trying in colder zones give the frequence of strong wintertime .

Most gardeners are familiar with the most common earliest blooming shrubs , which are more easily found at garden centers and nursery . I would never pass up an opportunity for a nice witch hazel ( Hamamelisspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) or our Northeast native serviceberry ( Amelanchierspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , yet there are a few more rare species that are perhaps even more valuable in achieve those surprise pa of wintertime colour .

‘Winter Beauty’ honeysuckle

Lonicera×purpusii‘Winter Beauty ’ , Zones 5–9

This honeysuckle is remarkable for its fragrant flower that blossom as early as late January and last through February . While the flowers can sometimes look a bit underwhelming in photos , one can not place a value on their honeysuckle - sweet-scented aroma as it drifts over the Charles Percy Snow . An excellent bonus to this shrub is that the cut branch come into bloom in just days when land indoors in early January .

White forsythia

Abeliophyllum distichum , zone 5–8

I think many of us have discover of this shrub or check picture of it in a catalog , but when was the last time you ever derive across one in person ? Depending on how mild the winter is , flowers can blossom as early on as February . These blooming can be enjoyed as early as January if one edit branch to force indoors . Distantly related to the more familiar scandalmongering forsythia , white forsythia has a like ontogenesis riding habit , and semiannual pruning will advance the growth of novel blooming arm . Plan on each shrub growing 3 to 6 feet marvelous .

Bodnant viburnum

Viburnum×bodnantense , Zones 5–9

A rarely seen late winter - blossom shrub , Bodnant viburnum will toss off into bloom just as the snow thawing and before its foliage emerges . This is sometimes in tardy February in New England and slightly later farther north , but it can be even to begin with if the plant is sit in a protected spot near a sunny paries . This is another great shrub to force early in January . The flowers look more like those of a jasmine ( Jasminumspp . and cvs . , Zones 6–11 ) than those of a typical genus Viburnum .

February daphne

Daphne mezereum , zona 4–7

February daphne is a deciduous bush that develop fragrant pink or white flowers ( depend on the cultivar ) on bare stems in February or March . This is a true cold - brave winter shrub that is difficult to find growing in the South . February daphne takes fond shade and grow best in moist , humus - fertile woodland soil . It seldom grows taller than 3 to 4 foot . In my Massachusetts garden , I have had some February daphne bloom as early as Christmas or New Year ’s Day . Because of this , I like to site these shrubs near threshold or along timberland course to delight their bloom without possess to shovel a path . All daphne berries are toxic , so site them carefully if you have small kid or ducky .

Eternal Fragrance®daphne

Daphne×transatlantica‘BLAFRA ’ , geographical zone 6–9

D.×transatlanticais a cross between Caucasian daphne ( D. caucasica , Zones 5–9 ) and collina daphne ( D. collina , Zones 6–9 ) . Perhaps my most favorite wintertime shrub , D.×transatlanticahas the differentiation of bring forth prime in our garden every calendar month of the year , while its peak blooms are in belated spring and again in early autumn . Look for newer key selections such as Eternal Fragrance ® , which is often list as hardy to Zone 6 even though I know of many growing in Northeastern gardens in Zone 5 . A deep snow will increase its range .

While the total genus ofDaphneis underutilized in our Northeastern garden , these two early - blooming daphnes , February daphne andD.×transatlantica , are a sentiency . Both have a acme bloom time in former March but with the added conjuration of producing sporadic flowers throughout the class , particularly during mild winters .

— Matt Mattus is a womb-to-tomb nurseryman and vice president of the Worcester County Horticultural Society . He ’s written two Book : master the Art of Flower GardeningandMastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening .

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Pink Dawn Bodnant viburnum

‘Pink Dawn’ Bodnant viburnum (Viburnum×bodnantense‘Pink Dawn’, Zones 5–8) has jasmine-shaped flowers that bloom in February.Photo: Joshua McCullough/www.phytophoto.com

Winter Beauty honeysuckle

The delicate white flowers of ‘Winter Beauty’ honeysuckle waft fragrance throughout winter gardens.Photo: courtesy of Logee’s Plants for Home and Garden

White forsythia