In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite frost-hardy cut flower varieties and a few simple tips to keep them flourishing through winter’s embrace. Some flowers are tough enough to thrive through winter’s chill, and even require the cold vernalization to produce the abundant blooms we all love come spring. In this post, I’ll share my 5 go-to cold-hardy blooms that can handle East Texas winters with ease. Snapdragons, resilient Calendulas, or dainty yet tough Gypsophila, these flowers will keep your garden lively throughout the colder months. I’ll also share a few tips on when a light cover is needed and when nature’s protection is all they require. Let’s dive into some winter warriors that will brighten up your garden even when the nights turn frosty!
Snapdragons – Cold hardy snapdragons do not require protection for winter nights in the 20’s. If I suspect the temps will dip into the low teen’s I will toss a lightweight Agribon fabric over them. I remove it as soon as the sun rises the following day. Throughout the winter I spray my snapdragons with a fish emulsion foliar spray each week.
‘Covent Garden’ Gypsophila – She may look like a dainty doll but don’t be fooled. This lovely filler flower can withstand a hard freeze with only a light mulch of pine straw or leaves at the base.
Calendula – Pot Marigold is another common name for this useful flower. This bright little flower can withstand nights in the 20’s! I do not cover these plants no matter how cold it gets. I have seen them coated in ice with no adverse effect.
Feverfew – This is another tough but delicate looking flower that I do not cover even if sleet or snow is predicted. My favorite variety is the traditional white with yellow center. Start seed indoors in October, do not cover as the seed requires light to germinate. Set out seedlings around Thanksgiving.
Fox Glove – If nighttime lows dip into the low teens I will toss a light Agribon fabric over the plants and remove it the next morning. Don’t be surprised if you have blooms in February. This is a flower that thrives in our mild winters. My foxglove also receive a weekly foliar spray of fish emulsion.
I have included links to the frost cover I use and my #1 favorite sprayer. You can learn more about this sprayer on my blog post all about the essential tools I use everyday.
Don’t forget to weed if you grow in a mild winter climate.
Weeding might seem like a task reserved for warmer days, but in East Texas, it’s a year-round responsibility. Our mild winters can encourage cold-weather weeds like henbit, burdock, and catspaw to take over quickly, especially when young plants are still finding their footing. In growing zone 8b, our January days can jump to the 70s, but those balmy afternoons often give way to chilly nights, dipping into the teens with a hard frost. And while the official last frost date is around March 15, unpredictable weather can bring weeks of frosty nights even as spring starts to bloom. Staying on top of those winter weeds will ensure your garden stays healthy and ready for the growth ahead.