Jasminum nudiflorum, winter jasmine. This 3 to 4 foot shrub grows wider than tall creating marvelous drifts of yellow flowers beginning in late January and sometimes continuing into March. Its opposite trifoliate leaves distinguish it from its late spring blooming cousin Jasminum floridum that has alternate leaves. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/jasminum_nudiflorum.html

Lonicera fragrantissima, winter honeysuckle. Not to be confused with the Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), this is not even a vine. A shrub that grows 10 to 12 feet high and wide, you may not even notice it’s in full bloom unless your nose is working. The sweet lemony fragrance seems to take to the air of cold days more than when it’s warm. Plant it where you can smell it! http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/shrubs/lonicera_fragrantissima.html

I call these to your attention for several reasons. One reason is that people often tell me they want things in bloom year round. But when they get things blooming in January or February, they seem to think something is wrong. Not to worry; this is winter in central North Carolina.

One of the characteristics of our winter is warming trends interspersed with freezing if not arctic temperatures. Many plants respond well to this scenario. The Japanese apricot is a good example. The flowers will even tolerate freezing temperatures. But don’t expect fruit from it.

Other trees of the genus Prunus may bloom in late winter too – cherries, apricots, perhaps even peaches. That creates one of the challenges to growing those fruits in our area. Among the strategies by which plants regulate blooming is the chilling requirement. Some plants will not break dormancy until sufficient chilling has occurred. Once that happens many plants will then bloom as soon as the days are warm enough. Many of our fruit trees use this mechanism.

This scenario presents a problem if you want to grow cherries or apricots for the fruit. They will often bloom before the end of freezing weather in our area. Remember that no matter how warm it is in January, we may have temperature in the low 20s as late as April. Most fruits will not survive that. For such plants we learn to enjoy the show and forget the produce.

There are other factors that regulate when plants will bloom. For many it’s a combination of chilling, warming, and/or day length. We may not even know everything involved. Each winter is different. But there seem to always be flowers every year.

Keep your eyes (and nose) open. There are more treats to come. Anyone have Daphne or witch-hazel in bloom yet?

alcooke