Winter Flowers Guide | Flowers for November & December
Winter flowers – the best blooms from December to February
Festive drama, quiet elegance, and the first promises of spring
Winter is not a season without flowers – it is a season of unexpected beauty. From the dramatic trumpets of Amaryllis Alongside the delicate bells of the snow-blooming hellebore, winter flowers have a special magic found in no other season.
December – Festive Splendor
- Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) : The showstopper of winter. Huge trumpet-shaped blooms on tall stems. Red , white , pink , striped and double varieties. Available as flower bulbs, potted plants, and cut stems. The ultimate flower gift for Christmas.
- Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima): The Christmas flower. Red is classic, but white , pink , marbled and glitter varieties add a modern touch. What looks like petals are actually colored bracts (leaves) – the true flowers are tiny yellow buds in the center.
- Hellebore (Christmas rose): One of the few plants that blooms in the coldest months – often in snow. White , pink , green and Burgundy . Elegant, understated, and magical.
- Holly (Ilex): Glossy green Leaves with bright red Berries. The classic Christmas greenery. Long-lasting in arrangements and wreaths.
- Evergreen branches: Pine, spruce, cedar, fir – fragrant green for wreaths, garlands, and table arrangements. The scent of Christmas.
- Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera): Cascading pink , red or white Blooms on segmented stems. Flowers reliably every December with minimal care. Care Guide .
January – Quiet Elegance
- Amaryllis (continued): Still at its peak. Staggered planting ensures continuous bloom through February. Cut amaryllis lasts 10–14 days in a vase.
- Tulips (First of the season): Dutch greenhouse tulips arrive in January – the very first sign of spring. Simple varieties in bright colors. A welcome touch of optimism in the darkest month.
- Forced branches: In January, cut branches of forsythia, cherry, or apple and let them develop indoors in warm water. They will bloom in 2–3 weeks – opening in a vase while it is still icy cold outside.
- Cyclamen: Elegant, swan-neck-shaped blooms pink , red , white and purple . Prefers cool rooms (15–18 °C) – perfect for unheated hallways or cool bedrooms. Blooms for months.
- Snowdrop (Galanthus): The very first garden flower – often pushing through the snow in late January. Tiny pendant white bells. Hope in person.
February – Hope returns
- Tulips (expanding variety): More colors and types become available. The star of the early spring bouquet.
- Anemones: Bold, jewel-toned blooms with dark centers. Available from February. Dramatic and romantic – perfect as an alternative for Valentine’s Day.
- Ranunculus: Layer upon layer of whisper-thin petals. The romantic’s flower. The season begins in February. Stunning for Valentine’s Day and early spring weddings.
- Mimosa (Acacia): Light yellow Fluffy sprays with an unforgettable honey scent. A symbol of International Women’s Day (March 8). Available from late February.
- Crocus: Cheerful cup-shaped blooms purple , yellow and white Pushing through the last winter ground. Available as potted bulbs – bring a touch of spring indoors.
- Flowers for Valentine’s Day: In addition, red Roses : ranunculus, anemones, Tulips and forced spring branches offer romantic seasonal alternatives. A guide to love messages .
The secret to winter arrangements: The most striking winter arrangements combine flowers with natural textures: pine cones, cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, eucalyptus, berries, and winter branches. These elements add fragrance, warmth, and a tactile quality that flowers alone cannot achieve. Less is more – a few dramatic stems in a simple vase often outshine an elaborate arrangement.
Winter greenery and textures
- Eucalyptus: Silver green , fragrant, and modern. Dries beautifully in arrangements. Available year-round, but especially loved in winter.
- Pine & spruce: Fragrant evergreen branches. Traditional and festive. Keeps for weeks in water.
- Mistletoe: The tradition of the Christmas kiss. Freshly available in December. Hang it with a ribbon – and kiss beneath it.
- Skimmia: Red berries and glossy green leaves. Long-lasting and festive. A winter favorite among florists.
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata): Bare branches covered in bright blossoms red berries. Architectural, dramatic, and unmistakably wintry.
Gift ideas for winter flowers
- Christmas: Amaryllis (bulb or cut), Poinsettia , festive arrangement with candles and greenery, wreath for the door.
- New Year: White Flowers for a new beginning – white roses , orchids or Amaryllis .
- Valentine’s Day: Red roses (classic) or seasonal alternatives – ranunculus, anemones, Tulips . A guide to gifting roses .
- Housewarming party: A potted orchid , cyclamen, or Amaryllis Pear tree. Living gifts for the darker months.
- A “cheer-you-up” gift: Light Tulips or a bowl of spring bulbs in a pot – sunshine in a pot during the grey winter.
November also has beautiful flowers to offer — from Christmas roses and amaryllis to ilex, flowers in November are a wonderfully atmospheric choice.
Winter flower bouquets at MO BLUMEN Vienna
Festive elegance and seasonal beauty – hand-tied and delivered throughout Vienna.
Related articles
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Hellebores (Christmas roses) bloom from December to March, often even in the snow. Snowdrops appear at the end of January. Crocuses and winter aconites follow in February. From January to February, witch hazel blooms with fragrant yellow flowers on bare branches. Viburnum bodnantense has fragrant pink blossoms during mild winter spells. Winter jasmine flowers yellow from November onward. Vienna’s climate makes all of this possible.
Poinsettias hate cold and draughts – don’t leave them sitting in a cold car or near a draughty door. Keep them at 18–22 °C in bright, indirect light, and water when the top layer of soil feels dry (never let them stand in water). With careful care, they stay colourful for 6–8 weeks. To make them colour up again next year, they need 14 hours of complete darkness every day for 8 weeks from October onward – a fun challenge. Complete care guide .
February offers beautiful seasonal alternatives: ranunculus (romantic layers), anemones (bold and dramatic), red Tulips (a declaration of love – more playful than roses) or a mixed bouquet of early spring flowers. These are often fresher and more unexpected than roses, whose demand (and price) peaks around 14 February. Complete guide to romantic flowers .