Signs of Winter Blooms to Come

Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Nothing is more delightful than seeing pops of color in the garden during winter and early spring when most flowering plants are dormant. If you look carefully in your garden, or stroll around your neighborhood, or visit the Pitt County Arboretum, you may spot signs of winter blooms to come. In late summer and during the fall, various bulbs send up green shoots promising future flowers. The following are some to look for now.

All photos by Joanne K.

The striped foliage of the spider lily, Lycoris radiata, appears in early fall, stays green over winter, and then dies away in spring.

When least expected, the spider lily sends up a scape in late summer to early fall providing a lovely garden surprise.

The thin shoots of the little hoop petticoat daffodil, Narcissus bulbocodium, come up in early fall.

The delicate yellow or white trumpet-shaped flowers appear in early to mid-spring.

The grass-like foliage of grape hyacinth, Muscari, shoots up in early fall.

The tiny fragrant purple bell-shaped grape hyacinth flowers start to open in early to mid-spring.

Winter paperwhite, Narcissus, shoots start to come up in early fall. Our 8a planting zone allows paperwhites to grow outside.

The very fragrant winter paperwhite flowers open in late fall to early winter.

Snow drop, Galanthus spp., leaves sprout in late fall.

The white bell-shaped snow drops with green edgings open in clumps in late winter to early fall.