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Beautiful Blooms That Defy Texas Winters

yellow pansiesFour Garden Favorites That Don’t Mind the Cold

If you have a USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map handy, you’ll see that Austin enjoys a comfortable spot in Zone 8b. Our mild climate is a joy to area gardeners, and local green thumbs especially love these four favorites that always help bust the winter blues.

1. Prized Pansies – They’re not the biggest blossoms on the block, but these pretty flowers are tough enough to survive snow and sleet. Their distinctive five-leaf blooms come in a rainbow of hues, and the monkey-faced variety sports contrasting dark areas on each petal. Pansies are happiest with at least six hours of sunlight each day, so give them a bright spot to soak up the rays, and enjoy their color all winter long.

2. Winter Jasmine – While some gardeners consider these willowy vines old-fashioned, there’s nothing wrong with an heirloom bush that bursts into bloom in the middle of January. With a little support, mature jasmine can grow as tall as 7 feet, and each plant cascades with thousands of tiny yellow flowers. These vintage beauties prefer plenty of sun, but they flourish anywhere in the garden, and their glossy leaves are a lovely addition to summertime landscapes.

3. Ornamental Kale – Who knew the cabbage family had such colorful cousins? The giant rosettes reach 15 inches in diameter and grace the garden with beautiful purples, lavenders and creamy whites. Yes, you can serve it on a dinner plate, but ornamental kale is best enjoyed massed around the porch or popping out of patio containers. Full sun or partial shade makes no difference to this hardy plant, and its stunning good looks last through early spring.

4. Color-Twigged Dogwoods – These graceful plants double your gardening pleasure with springtime blossoms and dramatic winter beauty. They drop their leaves when winter rolls in and brighten up the landscape with vivid red, yellow and orange stems. Dogwoods like full sun, but they don’t mind partial shade, and mature specimens reach heights of 10 feet. The stems are ideal for creating indoor arrangements and cheerful Christmas wreaths.

The list of winter-hardy flowers and shrubs is long and lovely. If you’d like to learn about more cold-weather favorites, give our landscaping specialists a call here at ABC Home & Commercial Services. We enjoy beautiful gardens too, and our specialists are always happy to help you chase away the winter blues.

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