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Winter Annuals

© Keith Muraoka

Is your garden looking a little weary? Has the cold weather really done in your impatiens and marigolds? Want a little color to brighten your day?

Well, look no further than winter bedding plants to bring color to your garden. You’ll find a host of choices at your nursery this time of year. They range from the hardiest of all winter annuals – pansies – to their smaller counterpart, violas, and also snapdragons, stock, calendula, Iceland poppy, primula (primrose), cyclamen and dianthus (sweet William). There’s even ornamental cabbage and kale, which offer huge plumes of purple that intensifies in colder weather. All of these are true winter annuals in that they continue to flower during the short, cold days of winter in our climate.

The other good news is that these bedding plants are so affordable. All are available in six-packs, as well as 4-inch pots and sometimes gallon cans (for instant color). For $10, you can get a couple dozen plants that are budded and ready to bloom. Withour further ado, here’s a quick listing:

PANSY. Pansies are the king of winter annuals. Plants will continue to bloom in temperatures into the 20s and san survive into the teens. Plants grow 6-8 inches, with 2-inch-plus flowers. Goldsmith Seeds offers varieties known as “Universal Plus,” “Accord” and “Contessa."

VIOLA. This pansy cousin is equally hardy, although plants and flowers are slightly smaller. Goldsmith’s “Penny” viola comes in 10 colors and a “Penny Lane” formula mixture.

SNAPDRAGON/STOCK. Yes, these grow in the spring and summer, too, but can also take the cold weather. These tall, slender plants come in heights ranging from 8 inches to 4 feet. The taller varieties make ideal backdrops in the garden bed. Goldsmith offers dwarf snapdragons called “Bells” and “Chimes,” as well as 18-inch varieties known as “Ribbon” and “La Bella.”

PRIMULA (Primrose). Pastel shades are the norm here for Primula obconica (known as primulas or fairy primroses) and Primula acaulis (known as primroses). Goldsmith offers both varieties with names “Libre,” “Gemini,” “Quantum” and “Rumba.”

DIANTHUS (sweet William). This is an underused annual, but newer hybrids like “Super Parfait” are more cold and heat-tolerant than older types. These are also known as “border carnations,” and are actually dwarf carnations.

CYCLAMEN. Florists’ cyclamen is thought of as a holiday houseplant not as an outdoor winter annual. However, they can be used outdoors throughout winter, it’s just going to cost you

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