Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the Northwest

In Jason Reeves ’ articlePlants That Bloom in Late Winter or Early Spring , he discusses how industrial plant that flower during the frigid prison term of the twelvemonth , often go underappreciated :

“ Some of these plant life are common but often overlooked at nurseries because they are not in bloom when most people are shopping for plants in late leaping or other summer . Others are more isolated and will take some search to find . But each one of these other bloomers will bring life to garden beds at a time of yr when it is most appreciated . ”

If you think your late winter and early spring garden can only enjoy the stake ofevergreens , colorful twigs , andinteresting bark , think again . rule late - wintertime and early - spring bloomers for the Northwest below . And find even more other riser inJason ’s article .

catch the full collection .

1. ‘Dawn’ viburnum

Name:Viburnum×bodnantense‘Dawn’

Zones:5–7

Size:8 to 10 feet marvellous and 7 to 8 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; fertile , well - debilitate ground

Native range : Garden origin cross

This tough and hardy deciduous shrub has great drop color followed by a welcome winter surprise . During the sporadic balmy moments of this chilly time of year , the twiggy bare branches burst into color with bunch of fragrant pink peak . Only a few clusters open at a meter , which can extend the flowering for up to six workweek . This also means that only a few blooms will be damaged if a arduous freeze occurs during florescence . The lost blooms are soon replaced with Modern 1 once the weather warms . subdivision can be cut before a freeze to enjoy deep down as a pick seasonal bouquet . ‘ dawning ’ viburnum only needs occasional lacrimation during prolonged dry atmospheric condition .

2. Algerian iris

Name:Irisunguicularis

Zones:7–9

Size:12 to 18 inches tall and 24 column inch wide of the mark

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; well - drained territory

Native range : Tunisia , westerly Mediterranean region

One of the truly special plants for the marine Pacific Northwest is Algerian flag . Unlike well-nigh any other iris , this delicious perennial produces gorgeous fragrant blooms through the winter months . look on the cultivar , the flower color can be bright purple , pale lavender , or ( rarely ) white . Each blossom is short - live on but sparkles like a precious stone . flower only open during mild breaks in the weather , which extends the bloom metre for calendar month . Once established , it only ask casual watering during sustain dry periods . engraft it under house eaves or under limbed - up evergreens to protect the flower from big winter rains .

3. Coast silk tassel bush

Name:Garrya elliptica

Zones:8–10

Size:6 to 7 feet improbable and 7 to 8 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; moist to dry , well - drain soil

aboriginal range : Coastal Oregon and California

A aborigine of the maritime - mold West Coast , this evergreen bush is a treasure for the winter garden . virile and female heyday are stand on separate shrub . In January and February , the manful human body take halfway leg with their spectacular 6- to 8 - inch - long chains of pale buff , tasseled blossom that dangle and swing in the breeze . Selected manly forms such as ‘ James Roof ’ or ‘ Evie ’ can have chainlike flowers that reach over 8 inches in length . Although female plant have brusque flowers , they make up for it in summer by producing fruits that are a subtle but endearing reddish plum color . This shrub prefers good drain , tolerates very sandy soil , and is drought patient of , postulate no additional watering once established .

4. Boxleaf azara

Name:Azara microphylla

Size:15 to 18 feet improbable and 6 to 8 feet panoptic

Conditions : Full sunlight to fond shade ; average to moist , well - enfeeble land

aboriginal mountain chain : Chile , Argentina

This modest , upright - growing tree is a must for West Coast gardens . Although its flowers are small and often hidden among its leaves , they emit a powerful redolence that can not be missed during late winter . On balmy days these tiny white-livered tufts release a yummy and alluring fragrance of vanilla extract and chocolate ; the smell wafts through the garden and can be observe quite some distance from the plant life . The small , mystifying green leaves look like those of Turkish boxwood ( Buxusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) but are bright and burnished on the upper surface . Boxleaf azara is a graceful raiser ; mature plants recrudesce a superimposed branch structure with a narrow form . verify it gets urine in juiceless weather , and ward off planting it in red-hot locations .

Contributing editor Richie Steffen is executive director of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle .

Fine Gardening recommend merchandise

Gardener ’s Supply Company Summerweight Fabric Plant Cover

hunky-dory horticulture receives a commission for items buy through links on this situation , let in Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertizement course of study .

ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner

early spring flowers northwest

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

Get our a la mode tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the Southern Plains

Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the Southwest

Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the Northeast

Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the Southeast

Join Fine horticulture for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a noted works pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental expert manager …

When I espy a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I sleep with I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritise plants we desire over plants our landscape needs , each season is filled with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , pinch , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Dawn Viburnum

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden intriguer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a twosome …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access fellow member get more

contract up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional mental object , plus the relief of the fellow member - only content subroutine library .

Start Free Trial

Algerian Iris