A Bouquet of Winter Bloomers for the Greenhouse

By: Alice McGowan

Before every minute is swallowed by the holiday season, and while there’s still space in the greenhouse—pending the onslaught of spring seedlings—consider a special winter bonus for greenhouse-owning gardeners—the privilege of enjoying winter-blooming plants! All plants suggested below thrive in bright sun and cool temperatures—ideally 40-50 degrees. Remember too that cooler temps generally encourage healthy, stocky plant growth, while discouraging the growth of pest populations.

The “Parlor Maple” blooms profusely in the winter and loves full sun. Abutilon savitzii and Abutilon pictum ‘Thompsonii’ have outstanding variegated foliage, while Abutilon ‘Lemon Drops’ is a lovely trailer for containers.

The fragrant flowers of many cestrum species have made them valuable conservatory plants since Victorian times. Cestrum nocturnum, is also known as “Night Jessamine” due to its intoxicating evening perfume. Other cestrum are prized for their visually attractive flowers—Cestrum‘Smithii’ has clear pink ones.

Heliotrope is an ideal greenhouse subject--its flowers range from white to deepest purple--and they exude a range of scents as well, from vanilla to baby powder. Heliotropium ‘Alba’ may have the freshest vanilla scent. Heliotropium ‘Iowa’ certainly has the deepest violet flowers, with a fragrance both lovely and complex.

Most Jasmine are grown for their pungent, sweet-scented blooms. Jasminum polyanthum is covered by midwinter with small, waxy white flowers emitting a knock-out perfume. Jasminum officinale ‘Fiona Sunrise’ adds handsome golden foliage to the allure of its fragrant white blooms.

Osmanthus fragrans is one of my favorites, and its period of bloom is ideal for the winter greenhouse. In appearance, both leaves and flowers are not noteworthy, but the exquisite fragrance of the small, creamy white flowers is outstanding.

Plumbago was a popular resident of Victorian conservatories, and should be in yours too. Its powder blue phlox-like flowers are almost continuous. Plumbago auriculata ‘Powder Blue’ is a recently selected form with exceptional vigor and startling ice blue flowers.

Tulbaghia, also known as “Society Garlic,” for the fragrance of its grasslike foliage--which is indeed reminiscent of the onion family--has surprisingly sweet-smelling flowers that provide a welcome contribution to the winter greenhouse. Nocturnally fragrant Tulbaghia cominsii combines white flowers with lovely glaucous foliage.

When the hustle and bustle of the next month seems overwhelming, step a moment into the greenhouse and take a breath. That wonderful perfume, with its promise of verdant rebirth, might just carry you through the darkest season until we can all garden outdoors again.

For more plants that bloom during the winter, as well as detailed information about how to grow them, see Alice’s book, “Bulbs in the Basement, Geraniums on the Windowsill,” and her website, alicemcgowan.com

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

To know more about Greenhouses and A Bouquet of Winter Bloomers for the Greenhouse visit www.hartley-greenhouses.com

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