The Plant Lady: Break up the winder doldrums with fragrant, colorful garden additions

Winter can be a bit gloomy with seemingly endless days of fog and clouds. Luckily there are several plants that thrive in these conditions and can cheer up even the most dormant and bleak garden. Here’s a guide to brighten up the gloomy days of winter.

Primrose

The Crayola crayons of the plant world, primroses (Primula polyanthus) come in a bright rainbow of colors. Often grown as winter annuals, these plants are technically perennial and can last a few years in the garden. Only reaching 6 to 8 inches tall and wide, the flowers continue nonstop through late winter into spring. During the summer, if kept out of direct sun they will stay as semi-evergreen rosettes. Snails tend to feast on these plants, so applying a bit of organic iron phosphate around them will keep them looking pristine. Additionally, they can develop a bit of fuzzy mold on the flowers and leaves – simply pinch off the affected parts.

Cyclamen

Nurseries and garden centers are filled with these winter beauties from mid-November on. Sadly, many people treat these plants as annuals and dump them in the compost pile once the flowers fade. Cyclamens however are tuberous perennials native to the Mediterranean region. Once temperatures warm up they go dormant, but will regrow when it cools. Sometimes with steady summer water they will remain evergreen. To avoid rot, it is key to prevent the tubers from staying too wet in summer.

Florist cyclamen is the most common. These are cultivars of the wild species C. periscum. Colors range from intense red, pink, lavender to white. In addition, leaves often have a silvery variegation to them. Native to areas of Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean region, this species prefers to be dry during summer – or at least planted in a good draining soil. Grown in pots, they can be stored in a dry, shady spot until fall growth occurs. During the holidays, it is possible to grow them inside with bright light, but once spring arrives it is a good idea to move them outside.

Cyclamen hederifolium – known as the hardy cyclamen – is a smaller flowering species that does well in a woodland setting where it can naturalize and spread. Flower colors range from pale to deep pink and white. While the bloom period for this cyclamen is earlier, it will brighten up the winter garden with its often heavily silvered leaves.

Violas/Pansies

On a gloomy day, you can’t help but smile when you see violas. Don’t let these dainty-looking flowers fool you; they can handle some tough conditions. They thrive during the cooler winter months, but can continue long into late spring if in a shady spot. Also, do not be surprised if you have them reseeding between cracks in your sidewalk or bricks – a bonus for most gardeners. Ideally, in the winter they will be planted in full sun, or at the very least a partial sun location. Most are annuals so they will start setting seed after the first flush of flowers. Most often, deadheading is not needed but if they do become a bit “leggy” a good trim can clean them up. To top it off, the flowers are also edible – use them in salads or as a garnish. Most violas can easily start from seed during the fall/winter, but certain cultivars are best bought as starter plants.

The larger flowering species are Viola x wittrockiana, with flowers up to 3 inches across. The flower colors and combinations are endless, with even a solid black flowering variety available. The cultivar “Imperial Antique Shades” comes in muted color combinations of pink, purple, orange and yellow. Smaller flowering violas, commonly called Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola tricolor), come in various color schemes/patterns of yellow, purple and white. However, an orange-striped variety called “Tiger Eye” is especially striking.

Ornamental Cabbage/Kale

When planted in clusters, ornamental cabbage/kale (Brassica oleracea) can make quite the statement. The colorful leaves – combinations of pink, purple, maroon, white and green – give the illusion of large flowers. While closely related to culinary cabbage/kale, they are edible but distinctly more bitter. If planted too soon in fall these plants can bolt and lead to an early onset of flowers. Once they flower – either from bolting or from normal aging – that is the signal their lifespan is coming to an end. They are loved by snails/slugs, so iron phosphate is recommended if you notice snail trails. In addition, the leaves can be chewed on by cabbage looper larvae. Applying BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) will help to eliminate them. “Osaka Pink” is a ruffled leaved pink plant that is particularly charming. “White Peacock” is a highly dissected pink and white kale variety.

Stock

It is hard to beat the cinnamon spicy fragrance of stock, Mathiola incana. These sun-loving, short-lived perennials add not only fragrance but color to the late winter/spring garden. Flowers occur on 6-to-10-inch tall spikes with cultivars ranging from white, shades of pink, lavender and a vibrant deep purple. Cutting off the old flower stalks will help to prolong their blooms, and in late spring cutting the plant back to about 6 to 8 inches will help rejuvenate them.