Spectacular Flowering Plants to Brighten the Short Winter Days

Blue Skyflower (Thunbergia grandiflora)

by Laurelynn Martin and Byron Martin

When the days get shorter…

And the temperature colder, our attention turns to container plants for the indoor garden. At Logee’s, we have several favorites that brighten the dark days of winter.

Blue Skyflower (Thunbergia grandiflora) is one of our favorite vining plants that grace the winter windowsill with its open-faced blue flowers. Its color is typical of a blue spring sky and when given full sun, Blue Skyflower, will bloom reliably for 9 months of the year. If grown outside in southern climates, this vining plant can cover a wall in no time.

One of our favorite places that we’ve seen Blue Skyflower was the Naples Zoo in Naples, Florida. Blue flowers engulfed the wall and it was a showstopper for those northern visitors. Grow in full sun with a trellis for support and dry down between waterings and in no time you too can have a plant covered with Blue Skyflowers.

Skyflower (Thunbergia laurifolia)

Another flower in the same genius is Thunbergia laurifolia, also called Skyflower. The only difference is that laurifolia has violet tones instead of blue and it flowers year-round and is not dependent on shortened day-length to stimulate bloom, like Blue Skyflower. Thunbergia laurifolia has the same vining habit and needs a stake or trellis in its pot. Pruning for both thunbergias should be done after flowering. And, although Skyflower is an everbloomer, we recommend pruning after its big floral show in springtime.

Flaming Glory Bower

Flaming Glory Bower (Clerodendrum splendens) is an excellent container plant for the winter days and also fits into holiday decorating themes with its rich umbels of red flowers and broad green leaves. This native African plant puts on a non-stop show from December to June. Flowering is stimulated by the shortened day length of the winter months. Flaming Glory Bower can take full or partial sun so you can grow in a southeast or southwest window and don’t need to take up the valuable south-facing window space. Let the soil dry out between waterings.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Phalaenopsis Orchids are well loved for their long-lasting blooms and for their ability to tolerate low light and dryness in the home environment. Many Phalaenopsis orchids bloom in the fall and again in spring. As temperatures change, this initiates the flower spike that’s followed by elegant flowers.

Dwarf Pink Powder Puff

The Dwarf Pink Powder Puff (Calliandra emarginata) is a good winter blooming houseplant. The growth habit is compact but pinching when they are young is needed to insure a full bushy plant.

Powder Puffs have a mesmerizing effect on all who observe their blooms. Red Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) is a short day bloomer and needs a sunny spot to fully show off its flowers from late October until March. The last pruning should be in mid-June to early July so the plant can sense the decreasing day length and begin initiating flower buds.

Golden Brush

Finally, for blazing color going into winter we recommend Golden Brush (Burbidgea scheizocheila). Its torch-like display of bright orange flowers appears with the change of seasons, once with the onset of winter and again in spring. Golden Brush can tolerate low light and be perfectly happy in an east or west window.

If you are dreading the dark days of winter, be sure to brighten your home with these tried and true colorful plants that will keep you entertained and cheery throughout the winter months.