Which ornamental plants grow best in zone 9 during winter? Visalia, California is located in zone 9. During the dreariest times of the year, winter gardens are a great way to bring color and life into your landscape. If you want to have a happy garden during winter, you just need to plant the right things. We have compiled a list of a few plants that will bloom here in Visalia for you in winter.
Petunia – Petunias can bloom all winter in zone 9. These tender perennials are very pretty when placed in hanging baskets. Petunias are available in double and single blooms and in either solid or multi-colored flowers. You will want to choose plants that are compact and unopened. Petunias need regular water and sunlight to promote multiple blooms. They will need fertilization regularly as they are heavy feeders. Taking the time to deadhead growing petunias will help to maintain their blooms.
Leatherleaf Mahonia – This hardy shrub produces clusters of yellow flowers that will brighten up your landscape. These unique shrubs will add a bit of whimsy to your winter garden. Dr. Seuss would admire your garden with this unique, low maintenance plant. The Leatherleaf mahonia has long, upright shoots of yellow clustered flowers that resemble octopus’ legs. The mahonia blooms in winter and early spring, and by summer they develop bright blue round fruits that will attract birds. Leatherleaf mahonia plants prefer partial or full shade and well-drained and acidic soil.
Snapdragon – Snapdragons are another tender perennial that will put up showy spikes of flowers during winter in zone 9. Snapdragons come in a variety of sizes, flower types, flower colors and foliage colors. Tall snapdragons are 2.5 to 4 feet tall and make great cut flowers. Medium snapdragons are 15 to 30 inches tall. Dwarf versions are 6 to 15 inches tall. Snapdragons are versatile plants and can add spice to any winter garden.
Witch Hazel – This small tree or shrub produces distinctive bright yellow flowers that will brighten up your winter garden. This bush is often found in woody areas, and has been used to treat insect bites, sunburn, and as an aftershave lotion. The witch hazel bush has fragrant blooms and can reach up to 30 feet high and 15 feet wide. They are perfect for adding color and fragrance to your winter garden. You can use them as borders, specimen plants, or mixed hedges, and they require little care.
Fashion Azalea – If you’re looking for flowers throughout fall, winter, and spring, this is your gal. This dense evergreen shrub produces brilliantly fiery blossoms and grows up to 5 feet tall and wide. Fashion azalea is an acid-loving plant, so treat them with an acid-based fertilizer once it has bloomed. Azaleas like their roots protected from the sun and cold, so add some mulch over the root zone.
These are just a few of the ornamental flowers that will thrive in your winter garden here in Visalia, California. If you’re looking for more tips and ideas to enhance your landscape, we would be happy to help.