Winter-Blooming Flowers for Southern Gardens: Annuals and Perennials That Love Cool Weather

Gardeners across the South and Southern California enjoy a wide selection of plants—both annuals and perennials—that flourish in cooler temperatures and deliver vibrant winter blooms.

Winter-Flowering Annuals

True annuals complete their life cycle in a single year: they grow, set seed, and die. While some plants grown as annuals in northern gardens are actually tender perennials, the following varieties are genuine cool-season annuals that add color to the winter landscape. Pair them with evergreen shrubs for year-round structure.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) forms low, 12-inch mounds covered in tiny, honey-scented flowers in shades of pink, white, or lavender. It’s perfect for edging beds, lining pathways, or tucking into small pockets. Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil; keep evenly moist for best performance, though it tolerates brief dry spells. Expect plants to go dormant in summer heat.

Learn more: Grow sweet alyssum plants.

Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) brightens the garden with cheerful yellow, cream, or orange blooms. If grown organically, the slightly peppery petals make a lovely edible garnish or can be chopped into cream cheese and dips. Grow in full sun.

Learn more: Grow calendula plants.

Honeywort

Native to the Mediterranean, honeywort (Cerinthe major purpurascens) is an underused gem with silvery blue-green foliage and nodding blue-purple flowers. Plants reach 2–3 feet tall and wide. Site in full sun or light shade; it self-sows but fades in hot weather.

Learn more: Grow honeywort plants.

Sweet Pea

Train annual sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) on trellises or obelisks where their tendrils can climb up to 6 feet. The fragrant, ruffled blossoms make superb cut flowers. Soak seeds for 48 hours before planting in full sun.

Learn more: Grow sweet pea plants.

Winter-Flowering Perennials

While many perennials prefer warmer conditions, the following provide reliable color in a winter garden.

Pansies and Violets

Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) and violets (Viola species) are the classic cool-season bloomers, their distinctive “faces” available in bold or pastel hues. Plant 4–6 inches apart in rich, moist, well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Water and fertilize regularly; deadhead to encourage repeat flowering. Though technically perennial, they are short-lived in heat. Some pansy varieties tolerate warmth better; violets handle more heat and may reseed.

Learn more: Grow pansies.

Pinks

Pinks (Dianthus species and hybrids) earn their name from the serrated, “pinked” leaf edges, not their color—though many are pink. Their blooms often carry a spicy fragrance reminiscent of nutmeg, ginger, or cinnamon. Types include China pinks (Dianthus chinensis) in 6–12 inch mounds, Sweet William (D. barbatus) to 2 feet, plus Cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) and maiden pinks (Dianthus deltoides). Grow in full to part sun; hardiness varies by species.

Learn more: Grow pinks.

Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that erupts with creamy-yellow flowers in late winter. It thrives in full sun or light shade, reaches 10 feet tall and wide, and is hardy in Zones 6–9.

Learn more: Grow winter jasmine.

Winter Honeysuckle

For one of winter’s most delightful fragrances, plant winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima). Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in late winter to early spring on a shrub that grows 10 feet tall and wide, hardy in Zones 5–8.