Winter Flowers to Grow in Texas

Although those in northern climates are beset by freezing temperatures, gardeners in Texas, the headquarters of Vego Garden, have the fortune of experiencing mild winters. Those living in zones 7 – 9, an area that encompasses the Southern United States, will find that there is still time to plant during the winter months of December and even January. When it comes to adding whimsical blooms to the landscape, there are plenty of options to choose from. Below is a recommended list of flowers that will keep the garden colorful year-round, from the off-season to the height of bloom. 

Raised Flower Bed Garden Ideas 

Raised garden beds are often recommended for gardeners faced with space constraints. Reminiscent of the graceful tumbling of a waterfall, Vego Garden’s Cascading Raised Metal Bed  is a tiered raised bed suited for growing flowers alongside vegetables. Configured for growing plants with different root requirements, the Cascading Bed lends an eye-catching display for beautiful trailing plants. If you live in a colder climate, check out the collection of rolling raised beds, which can be easily wheeled inside during chilly winter months. Additionally, also consider growing herbs, many of which can be planted with vegetables and flowers in raised garden beds to maximize space. 

Herbs to Plant:

• Sage, thyme, oregano, dill, fennel, and chives
• Avoid planting rosemary 

1. Snapdragons   

Available in dazzling shades of red, yellow, peach, and violet, snapdragons are known for their bright, profuse display of blooms. Some varieties come in bronzy oranges and salmon pinks, reminiscent of the beautiful sunsets of the American Southwest. A hardy fall plant, it can withstand sub-freezing temperatures if grown in areas with mild climates. Though they are considered perennials, they are short-lived, and often categorized as biennials, annuals, hardy annuals, tender perennials, or semi-perennials. Deadheading snapdragons will keep them tidy and blooming throughout the summer. For a versatile tool bag to store all your gardening tools, the Vego Garden bag is a great option that accommodates gardeners of all skillsets. Snapdragons have a tendency to reseed readily, creating a wild, unburdened aesthetic popular in traditional cottage gardens. 

2. Sweet Alyssum  

Sweet Alyssum is an herbaceous plant that features dense clumps of small, white flowers. While technically a perennial, it is treated as a hardy annual in most areas of the United States. Its compact quality and neutral colors make it ideal for ground covers or as filler in containers. Lobularia White Stream is a hybrid variety that will survive the blistering heat of Texas summers. A plant that produces a fragrance similar to honey, sweet asylum is ideally suited for the Cascading Bed or outdoor containers or baskets, where it can spill gracefully over the edges. When grown in pots or baskets, it may require more frequent watering than those grown in garden beds. 

3. Ornamental Kale and Cabbage          

With their swirling layers of blue-green and magenta colors, ornamental cabbage, also known as ornamental kale, is a bold garden staple that works well with a wide array of landscapes and themes. In addition to the traditional purple rosettes, ornamental cabbage also comes in paler, variegated shades of rose, gray, and yellow. While they are edible, they retain an unpleasant bitter flavor and are primarily used for decorative purposes. Their unique yet modest foliage makes them a versatile addition to containers or mass planting, providing visual interest to Christmas décor or small seasonal plants like pansies, violas and snapdragons. Even though they are all technically kales, the ones with conventionally frilly or ruffled leaves are considered ornamental kale, while those with broad, rounded leaves are called ornamental cabbage.

4. Petunias            

Though petunias are often thought of as old-fashioned, those ubiquitous flowers are an easy way to add a touch of color to the landscape. Available in a surprisingly wide array of options, including multi-color varieties that resemble the star-filled night sky, petunias add a unique element to a yard or fence. In the Victorian language of flowers, it symbolized anger and resentment, but in modern times, it has come to take on a more uplifting meaning. Petunias perform well in full sun, at least 10 hours a day to prevent it from going dormant. They will wither away in summer heat, often taking on a spindly or leggy appearance, making it a good choice for mild Texas winters. 

5. Camellias  

In contrast to their delicate appearance, camellias are tough, long-lasting plants that will flower even in the heart of winter. A traditional Southern favorite, camellias feature glossy foliage and graceful flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. Some varieties produce profuse blossoms, and others enjoy long blooming seasons that can last up to half a year. Because they prefer slightly acidic soil and the native soil of North Texas is alkaline, they should be grown in raised garden beds, where the soil quality and composition can be controlled. The best time to plant camellias is in fall or early spring, with fall recommended for warm weather areas.

6. English Marigold          

The English marigold, also called the pot marigold, is a reliable cold season annual that can withstand cold winter nights even as temperatures dip below freezing. Intolerant of hot weather, English marigolds make the ideal winter flower to grow in the South. Despite its name, it is not actually a true marigold, but rather an herb in the calendula family. Often recognized for its thick, florid blooms, English marigolds produce vibrant flowers in intense oranges, yellows, and apricots. Add pot marigolds to your landscape to spruce up eyesores in the garden or bring a certain vibrancy to dreary spots. 

7. Asters     

Asters are a low-maintenance plant that withstands winters in Texas well. Featuring daisy-like lavender petals, they are popular in pollinator gardeners due to their ability to provide fall nectar to beneficial pollinators. Derived from a Greek word meaning “star,” asters have a somewhat star-like appearance – the more interesting cultivars will form rosettes with several layers of petals. Their versatility and variation ensure that applicability in many settings, from ground covers and borders to mounds interspersed among naturalizing spring bulbs. A relatively drought-tolerant native plant, they do not have stringent water or fertilizer requirements. 

8. Cyclamen 

Cyclamen is a tulip-like plant that is native to the rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Relatively underrated among flowering bulbs, it can come in electric reds and magentas or more subdued shades of white and pink. For those seeking shade dwelling plants, cyclamen is a good option, as it prefers indirect light and cool temperatures. Cyclamen flower during winter or early spring and go dormant during the summer, when the weather is hot and dry.