Winter Flowers ?

[Andy Thatcher]

I know that Shrimp Plants readily flower through the winter, well I have read that, but was wondering what other plants consistently flower over the winter to ?

Most of the sites I have visited are written by folks outside of central Florida so was wondering what recommendations you have ?

I know last winter was a freaky one as regards cold temperatures and freezing but what will "normally" continue flowering.

[Steve Backes]

Andy,

I'm a little more south and closer to the coast than you but I would think that my recommendations should survive for you in average years.

Two plants that survived last winter with minimal cover (growing under an oak tree) are Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) and Flowering Maple (Abutilon pictum). Other good plants for me that survive most winters are Chinese hat (Holmskioldia sanguinea), Firespikes (Odontonema strictum), Pink or Purple Porterweed (Stachytarpheta), and various salvias. These plants have survived minimal freezes where they are somewhat protected by buildings and/or other vegetation.

You should be able to get blooms from these plants long enough to attract wintering hummingbirds even if they do eventually get burned by a freeze. Barring an exceptional year like the past two, they should all come back from the roots after an average freeze.

I always hang additional feeders after a freeze because additional birds who've lost their food source will show up. Hummingbirds can be kept alive during spells without flowers so long as there are plants providing cover for them and at least one feeder per bird. I've done that the past two years for at least 20 birds each year.

[Andy Thatcher]

I am not expecting any over winterers this year but hope to have increased the plant stock to a point where I have a chance the following one.

Just planted out my first self rooted Trumpet Vine, Golden and Red Shrimps plant today so very early days. I have 3 acres to play with so not exactly cramped for space.

I have a Coral Vine cutting that has just started rooting so hopefully that will come through.

Thankyou again for you suggestions I will take a trip out tomorrow and try and pick up a couple of them !

[Andy Thatcher]

Peach Porterweed, Firespike, Mystic Spires and some more red salvia acquired and planted.

Have a few cuttings in the misting bed to boot.

Was very tempted by Wild Coffee and Laterna (sp?) but was very good.

[bunkyx]

Andy,
If you have three acres to play with why not try an Orchid Tree?
They are pretty hardy (mine had leaves all winter long) and put out masses of flowers when they bloom in the spring. They are not the most shapely tree a little gangly but they can be pruned to a decent shape. If you can put one at a distance from your house it will make a great back drop.

Gene

[Andy Thatcher]

Not a bad idea, thanks !

Have bottle brush rooting and another tree. Really do not know what the other tree is other than it has cascades of yellow flowers and has fern like leaves. It is far larger than a mimosa, another I am seriously thinking about, that also has fern like leaves.

Found a stand of 8 or so of them on a quick birding trip literally just off SR50.

[flrubyluver]

Andy: how about a Carolina Jessamine Vine? Mine bloomed beautifully in the winter (January, I think) but I didn't have any hummingbirds to tell if me if they like the flowers or not

BH
Hernando County, FL