Five Plants for Winter Color
As cold weather makes it way to Mississippi, the vibrant colors of summer and fall begin to fade. Winter months are traditionally very bland in terms of landscape, but they don’t have to be! There are several colorful plants that work well in cold temperatures, and many of them are low maintenance. Here are five annual plants you can incorporate into your flowerbeds or containers to add a nice pop of color into your winter landscape:
- Pansy: Pansies are a winter favorite among many gardeners and rightfully so! They come in multiple colors and varieties, and can tolerate even the coldest weather. They work well in both flower beds and containers, and flourish when placed in a sunny to partly shady area.
- Dusty miller: Dusty miller offers a unique addition to any arrangement. Its gray, velvety texture stands out among other plants. Dusty miller is low maintenance and grows best when planted in full sun.
- Ornamental kale and cabbage: Ornamental kale and cabbage can offer the vivid colors of pink, purple, green, and yellow to your landscape. Kale and cabbage typically thrive when planted in containers and are a great nontraditional winter plant! Be sure to place these plants in full sun!
- Dianthus: Another garden showstopper is dianthus flowers. They come in a variety of different colors, and are a great annual to plant in the masses. Although these plants can withstand cold temperatures, they may need a bit more protection during hard freezes.
- Viola: Violas are tough plants, tolerating the cold weather better than pansies! Also known as Johnny jump-ups, these annuals perform well in both flower beds and containers.
We all know Mississippi weather can be quite unpredictable at times. Remember to keep an eye on the temperatures to prepare for a hard freeze. Extension Publication 2303, “Protecting Plants from Cold Temperatures,” offers insight and advice on how to protect your plants when the temperatures drop below freezing.
If you want an easy container garden combo to spruce up your front porch, check out this blog post for inspiration!
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