Just because the temperatures drop doesn’t mean your garden has to go dormant and gray. A few carefully chosen winter-blooming bulbs can add vibrant color and charm to your landscape, even in the coldest months.

• Cyclamen coum
  Cyclamen coum takes over from its autumn-flowering cousin, Cyclamen hederifolium, and is one of the first bulbs to bloom in winter, sometimes as early as January. Its delicate pink flowers emerge before the silver-marbled foliage unfurls, creating a striking contrast. Unlike C. hederifolium, which prefers dry shade, C. coum thrives in moist, well-drained soil and shaded areas under trees. Pairing it with snowdrops creates a beautiful early-season display.
• Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.)
  Snowdrops are a classic winter favorite with almost universal appeal. With many species and cultivars available, these dainty white flowers are beloved for their elegance and sweet fragrance. Try Galanthus elwesii, a giant, honey-scented variety, or Galanthus nivalis Flore Pleno, a charming double-flowered type. For a natural look, scatter the bulbs across the planting area and plant them where they land — creating drifts that mimic their woodland origins.
• Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
  Winter aconites are cheerful gems in the garden, producing golden, cup-shaped flowers surrounded by a green collar of leaves, reminiscent of buttercups in the snow. These bulbs prefer moist soil and shady spots, making them ideal for underplanting among trees or shrubs. For the best effect, plant them in bold drifts and allow them to die back naturally in spring, resisting the urge to tidy them away too early.

By incorporating these winter-blooming bulbs, gardeners can enjoy a dynamic, colorful landscape when most plants are dormant. Not only do they provide visual interest, but they also attract early pollinators and lift spirits during the gray winter months.

Mark Wilson
Horticulture Agent, Northwest Region

Cyclamen coum

Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.)

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)