Mid Autumn is the time to plant for Winter colour
Not all gardens hibernate in winter – you can have a riot of winter colour if you plan now.
Want a vibrant, blooming garden in Hobart this winter? It’s totally doable, even in our chilly Tasmanian weather. Late April is a great time to get planting, here are out top picks!
Cyclamen: You just cannot go wrong with cylamen in the Hobart in winter. These bulb based plants will appear to die off in summer but do not despair – if they are kept relatively dry they will burst back into life from now all the way through winter – we have a great range of flowering cyclamen in the nursery in Autumn just in time for planting for winter.
Try this: Go for a mixed planting of advanced plants in our larger pots for instant colour as well as a punnet of cyclamen seedlings to develop over time.
Pansies and Violas: These little champs are winter gardening superstars. They come in tons of colors—think purples, blues, yellows, oranges, or even funky two-tone combos. Frost? No problem—they’ll keep blooming from now through winter and into spring. Pop them in garden beds, along borders, or in pots for easy cheer.
Try this: Go for ‘Matrix’ pansies if you want big, bold flowers, or ‘Sorbet’ violas for tons of smaller blooms.
Primulas and Polyanthus: These guys are like bursts of happiness with their bright flower clusters in reds, yellows, pinks, purples, and whites. They love cool, shady spots, so they’re perfect for under trees or in pots on a porch.
Try this: ‘Husky’ primulas are tough and come in a wide range of colors.
Snapdragons: In warmer places, these are summer stars, but in Tassie, planting them now means gorgeous spikes of red, yellow, pink, or white flowers all winter long. They like sunny spots and soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
Try this: Grab dwarf ‘Floral Showers’ for compact plants or taller ‘Rocket’ varieties if you want some height.
English Daisies (Bellis perennis): These cute, low-growing flowers look like tiny pompoms in pink, red, or white. They’re super tough, blooming happily through winter in sunny or partly shaded spots.
Try this: Mix single and double-flowered types for a fun, textured look.
Sweet Peas: If you’re quick, you can still sow sweet pea seeds in a sheltered spot. They’ll settle in over winter and reward you with fragrant, colorful blooms by late winter or spring. Look for winter-flowering types if you can find them.
Try this: ‘Winter Elegance’ is a great pick for earlier flowers.
Ornamental Kale: Okay, not technically a flower, but these plants are stunning with their frilly rosettes in white, pink, purple, or green. They thrive in cold weather and add awesome texture to beds or containers.
Try this: Mix ‘Redbor’ (deep purple) with ‘White Crane’ for a striking contrast.
Other Plants for Winter Blooms
Want to mix it up? These plants also bring some winter magic to Hobart gardens:
Hellebores (Winter Roses): These perennials are pure elegance, blooming in late winter with cup-shaped flowers in white, pink, green, or purple. They love shade and are tough as nails. Plant established ones now for blooms this winter.
Camellias: Some camellias, like sasanqua or early-blooming japonica varieties, start flowering in late autumn and keep going through winter. Their pink, red, or white blooms are gorgeous, and they like partial shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Grevilleas: These native beauties often flower year-round, including winter. Their unique, spider-like flowers in various colors are a magnet for birds.
Try this: ‘Robyn Gordon’ or ‘Superb’ bloom for ages.
Banksias: Like grevilleas, some banksias shine in winter with bold, spiky flowers that wildlife love.
Try this: Banksia ericifolia (Heath Banksia) has cool orange “candle” flowers.
Daphne: For a heavenly scent, try winter-flowering daphne varieties like Daphne odora. Their pink or white blooms love a spot with morning sun and some wind protection.
Tips to Get Started
Prep the Soil: Make sure your soil drains well and mix in some compost for extra nutrients.
Pick the Right Spot: Check how much sun each plant needs—most winter annuals like a bit of sun, but primulas prefer shade.
Water Wisely: Give your new plants regular water to help their roots settle, but ease off in winter. Just don’t let the soil dry out completely.
Frost Protection: If a big frost hits, cover delicate plants with frost cloth or move pots to a sheltered spot.
With these plants, your winter garden can be a colourful display all winter long. Mix and match pansies, primulas, snapdragons, and more for a vibrant display, or add some hellebores and camellias for extra charm. Get planting now, and you’ll be smiling at your blooming garden in no time. Happy gardening!
