Some flowers are naturally hardy and can withstand frost, snow, and freezing temperatures. They often bloom in the coldest months, bringing color to gardens when most plants are dormant. Their resilience allows them to survive harsh conditions that would damage less hardy varieties.
These flowers have adaptations that protect their delicate parts from freezing. Many develop protective layers on stems and buds, or maintain foliage that insulates critical growing points. This enables them to open blooms even in icy conditions, providing early sources of color and nectar in the garden.
Winter-hardy flowers also help maintain garden structure and visual interest. Even when snow covers the ground, some can poke through or bloom just beneath the surface. This makes them valuable for gardeners who want a vibrant landscape year-round, rather than a garden that lies completely bare during cold months.
Flowers that Survive Winter Outside
Hellebore (Christmas Rose)
Hellebores are hardy perennials that bloom in late winter or early spring, often through snow. They tolerate frost and cold temperatures, making them perfect for winter gardens. Their evergreen foliage also adds year-round interest.
Snowdrop (Galanthus)
Snowdrops are small, delicate flowers that emerge through snow and ice. They are among the earliest bloomers in late winter, thriving in cold climates and naturalizing well in gardens.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Winter aconite produces bright yellow flowers in late winter. It can survive harsh frost and snow, often forming cheerful carpets under trees or along garden borders.
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Pansies are cold-tolerant flowers that can bloom throughout winter in mild climates. Their colorful blooms withstand frost and light snow, adding vibrant color to gardens.
Camellia
Camellias are evergreen shrubs with stunning winter blooms. They tolerate cold temperatures and produce large, showy flowers, often in shades of red, pink, or white, depending on the variety.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Winter jasmine is a hardy shrub that produces bright yellow blooms in mid to late winter. It can withstand freezing temperatures and adds early-season color to gardens.
Hellebore Double Delight
This variety of hellebore is extremely hardy and produces large, double blooms in shades of white, pink, or purple. It is frost-resistant and can survive snow-covered gardens.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)
Witch hazel shrubs bloom in the cold months, often from late winter to early spring. Their fragrant, ribbon-like flowers tolerate frost and provide color when most plants are dormant.
Winter Heath (Erica carnea)
Winter heath is a low-growing evergreen with bell-shaped flowers in pink, purple, or white. It blooms in winter, tolerates frost, and thrives in well-drained soil.
Mahonia (Oregon Grape)
Mahonia produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in late winter. It is an evergreen shrub that withstands frost and adds vibrant color to winter gardens.
Crocus
Crocuses are hardy bulb flowers that emerge in late winter. They push through frost and snow, offering early bursts of color in purple, white, or yellow shades.
Cyclamen coum
Cyclamen coum is a low-growing perennial with pink, white, or red flowers that bloom in late winter. It tolerates cold conditions and thrives under shrubs or in shaded garden spots.
Bergenia (Pig Squeak)
Bergenia is an evergreen perennial with large, leathery leaves that often turn red or bronze in winter. Its clusters of pink or purple flowers bloom in late winter, adding color and texture to cold-season gardens.
Primrose
Primroses are cold-tolerant perennials that bloom in late winter or early spring. Their colorful flowers—yellow, pink, or purple—brighten garden borders even during frosty months.
Lenten Rose
The Lenten rose produces large blooms in shades of white, pink, or purple. It is extremely frost-hardy and thrives even under snow, making it a reliable winter bloomer.
Viburnum Shrub
Viburnum is an evergreen shrub with clusters of small, white or pink flowers. It blooms in winter, tolerates frost, and provides structure and color in cold-season gardens.
Oregon Grape Holly
This evergreen shrub produces bright yellow, fragrant flowers in late winter. Its spiny leaves add texture, and the plant is highly tolerant of frost and snow.
Daphne
Daphne is a small evergreen shrub that produces highly fragrant pink or white flowers in late winter. It is cold-hardy and adds both scent and beauty to winter gardens.
Stinking Hellebore
This hellebore produces greenish-yellow flowers in winter and is very hardy. It thrives even under frost and snow, making it perfect for shaded or woodland gardens.
Sweet Box
Sweet Box is an evergreen shrub with small, fragrant white flowers in winter. It grows well in shade, is frost-tolerant, and adds winter fragrance to gardens.
Viburnum Bodnant
This deciduous shrub blooms from late winter to early spring with clusters of pink or white flowers. It tolerates frost and provides early nectar for pollinators.
Skimmia
Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with clusters of red buds that open into fragrant white flowers in winter. It is frost-hardy and ideal for partially shaded garden areas.
Cornelian Cherry
Cornelian cherry is a small tree or shrub that blooms in late winter with small yellow flowers. It is hardy and adds early color before most other plants start to bloom.
Wintersweet
Wintersweet is a deciduous shrub with strongly fragrant yellow flowers in mid-winter. It tolerates frost and provides both color and scent when most other plants are dormant.
Japanese Quince
Japanese quince is a hardy shrub that blooms in late winter with bright red, pink, or orange flowers. It tolerates frost and adds bold color to winter landscapes.
Winter Pansies
Winter pansies are cold-tolerant and can bloom even under light snow. Their bright, cheerful colors—purple, yellow, and white—help keep winter gardens lively.
Heather
Heather is an evergreen perennial that blooms in winter with small purple, pink, or white flowers. It tolerates frost well and adds texture and color to borders and rock gardens during the cold season.