It’s already winter in December, and although it’s a season when many plants enter dormancy, there are still some resilient flowers that bloom vibrantly despite the cold.
Some well-known flowers that bloom in December include plum blossoms (Prunus mume), winter chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium), Camellia sasanqua, hellebores (Helleborus spp.), winter-blooming orchids (such as Dendrobium), and Cyclamen. Apart from these, there are several other seasonal flowers that grace the winter landscape in December.
In the following text, I will share with you ten types of flowers that bloom in December. Let’s explore their unique characteristics and cultivation requirements in detail.
When discussing flowers that bloom in December, the plum blossom (Prunus mume) indisputably takes center stage. Revered as one of China’s ten most celebrated flowers, it holds a place of honor among the “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese culture, alongside the orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum.
The plum blossom is also esteemed as one of the “Three Friends of Winter,” together with pine and bamboo, symbolizing resilience and perseverance. Its flowering period extends from late winter to early spring, typically from December to March, while its fruiting season occurs from May to June. Native to southern China, the plum blossom has been cultivated for over three millennia, with varieties developed for both ornamental and fruit-bearing purposes.
Renowned for its ability to flower in harsh winter conditions, often while snow still covers the ground, the plum blossom is admired for its hardiness and beauty. Its blossoms, usually featuring five petals, come in shades ranging from pure white to deep pink, emitting a subtle, sweet fragrance that heralds the approach of spring.
The plum blossom tree (Prunus mume) typically grows to a height of 4-10 meters, with a spreading canopy. Its bark is smooth and greenish-brown, darkening with age. The leaves are ovate to elliptic, 4-8 cm long, with serrated edges. The tree prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Cultivation of plum blossoms can be achieved through various methods:
Beyond its aesthetic value, the plum blossom offers numerous practical applications:
In Chinese culture, the plum blossom symbolizes perseverance, hope, and renewal. Its ability to bloom amidst winter’s adversity has inspired countless poets, artists, and philosophers throughout history. As such, it continues to hold a special place in gardens, art, and cultural practices across East Asia.
Among the flowers that bloom in December, winter chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium) are undoubtedly one of the most prominent. Unlike traditional chrysanthemum varieties that primarily flower in autumn, winter chrysanthemums, also known as cold-hardy chrysanthemums, initiate their blooming cycle in December and continue to flower until approximately February, making them the latest blooming cultivars within the Chrysanthemum genus.
These resilient plants exhibit superior cold tolerance compared to their counterparts, often thriving and producing blossoms even in snowy conditions. During their peak flowering period in winter, adequate sunlight is crucial for optimal performance. To ensure prolific blooming, winter chrysanthemums require a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Winter chrysanthemums have adapted to cooler temperatures and reduced moisture levels. As such, it’s essential to adjust watering practices during the winter months. These plants prefer soil that is slightly moist rather than saturated. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases, which are particularly problematic in colder weather when evaporation rates are lower.
To cultivate healthy winter chrysanthemums:
By providing these conditions and following proper care techniques, gardeners can enjoy the vibrant colors and unique beauty of winter chrysanthemums throughout the coldest months of the year, adding a touch of life and color to otherwise dormant winter landscapes.
When exploring flowers that bloom in December, the Golden Camellia (Camellia nitidissima) stands out as a remarkable winter-flowering species. This exceptional plant typically blooms from late November through December, offering a stunning display during the cooler months. It belongs to the Theaceae family, which includes other notable plants such as tea (Camellia sinensis), ornamental camellias, and oil-producing camellia species.
The Golden Camellia holds a prestigious status as one of China’s first-class protected plants due to its rarity and ecological importance. Its flowers are truly captivating, boasting a brilliant golden hue that is unparalleled in the plant kingdom.
The petals have a waxy appearance that imparts a translucent, lustrous quality, enhancing their visual appeal. When in full bloom, the flowers exhibit varied shapes, including cup-shaped, pot-shaped, or bowl-shaped forms, each exuding a delicate and elegant charm.
The discovery of the Golden Camellia is a relatively recent event in botanical history. Chinese scientists first identified this species in 1960 near Nanning, Guangxi Province. Its unique golden coloration, unprecedented among camellias, led to its scientific name and common moniker. The plant quickly gained international recognition for its extraordinary characteristics.
In the global horticultural community, the Golden Camellia has earned several prestigious titles. It is often referred to as the “Magical Oriental Tea,” highlighting its relation to the tea plant and its Eastern origins. The nicknames “Panda of the Plant World” and “Queen of the Tea Family” further emphasize its rarity, beauty, and significance within its taxonomic group.
Cultivation of the Golden Camellia requires specific conditions, including acidic soil, partial shade, and protection from extreme temperatures. Its limited natural habitat and specific growing requirements contribute to its protected status and make it a prized specimen for botanical gardens and camellia enthusiasts worldwide.
Bougainvillea, colloquially known as paper flower, is renowned not only for its December blooms but for its remarkably prolonged flowering period. In tropical and subtropical climates, it typically flowers from November through June of the subsequent year, providing a stunning display for over half the year.
The true flowers of Bougainvillea are small, tubular, and typically pale yellow or white, nestled within clusters of three large, vibrantly colored bracts. These bracts, often mistaken for petals, are modified leaves that come in a spectrum of eye-catching hues including vivid red, orange, purple, pink, and white. The plant’s common name, “paper flower,” derives from the papery texture of these showy bracts.
Native to the coastal regions of Brazil in South America, Bougainvillea belongs to the family Nyctaginaceae and comprises 18 species with numerous cultivars and hybrids. It thrives in warm, humid, and sun-drenched environments, preferring well-draining soil and requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
While Bougainvillea is widely cultivated across southern China, where it adorns courtyards, parks, and gardens with its cascading blooms, it has also demonstrated remarkable adaptability. In cooler northern regions, it can be successfully grown in greenhouses or as a container plant that can be moved indoors during colder months.
The versatility of Bougainvillea extends to its growth habits, appearing as shrubs, vines, or trees depending on pruning and training. Its thorny stems can reach lengths of 1-12 meters, making it an excellent choice for creating colorful hedges, archways, or climbing displays.
Bougainvillea’s high ornamental value is complemented by its relatively low maintenance requirements once established. It is drought-tolerant and generally resistant to pests and diseases, though it may occasionally face challenges from aphids, mealybugs, or fungal issues in overly humid conditions.
In landscaping, Bougainvillea serves multiple purposes: as a striking focal point, a vibrant privacy screen, or a colorful ground cover. Its ability to bloom profusely in less-than-ideal conditions, including coastal areas with salt spray, further enhances its popularity in diverse horticultural settings.
The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a striking tropical plant that offers vibrant blooms during the winter months, making it a prized addition to any garden or indoor space. Native to South Africa, this exotic beauty has found its way into parks and gardens across southern China, while in northern regions, it’s often cultivated in greenhouses to protect it from colder temperatures.
The foliage of the Bird of Paradise is as impressive as its flowers. The leaves are large, elongated, and lance-shaped, typically measuring 25-45cm in length and up to 10cm in width. These thick, leathery leaves are arranged in a fan-like pattern, creating an attractive tropical aesthetic even when the plant is not in bloom.
The flower structure of the Bird of Paradise is truly remarkable. The inflorescence emerges from a boat-shaped bract, which is typically green with striking purple-red edges. This bract serves as a protective cover and a launching pad for the actual flowers. The sepals are a brilliant orange-yellow, while the petals are a contrasting deep blue, together forming the distinctive bird-like shape that gives the plant its common name.
One of the most impressive features of the Bird of Paradise is its extended flowering period. A single plant can bloom for approximately 100 days, with individual flowers lasting 13-15 days. The plant produces flowers in succession, ensuring a continuous display of color throughout the blooming season. This prolonged flowering period makes it an excellent choice for winter gardens or as a centerpiece in interior spaces.
When used as cut flowers, Bird of Paradise blooms can maintain their beauty for 15-20 days, making them popular in floral arrangements. Florists often use two stems of different heights to create a more natural, asymmetrical look that mimics the plant’s growth in nature. This arrangement technique showcases the flowers’ unique shape and vibrant colors to their best advantage.
The Bird of Paradise is not just visually appealing; it’s also relatively low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for both experienced gardeners and beginners. When grown indoors, it prefers bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. However, it’s important to allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
In addition to its ornamental value, the Bird of Paradise holds cultural significance in many parts of the world. In its native South Africa, it’s known as the crane flower and is featured on the country’s 50-cent coin. In the language of flowers, it symbolizes joyfulness, magnificence, and freedom.
Whether grown outdoors in tropical climates or as an indoor plant in cooler regions, the Bird of Paradise offers a touch of exotic beauty and a burst of color during the winter months. Its unique appearance, long-lasting blooms, and relatively easy care requirements make it a popular choice for those looking to add a dramatic focal point to their plant collection or living space.
Cyclamen, also known as sowbread, Persian violet, or alpine violet, is a genus of plants renowned for its winter-blooming species. These charming flowers typically bloom from December through April, with some late-flowering varieties extending their display into May and June.
Native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East, cyclamen has become a popular ornamental plant worldwide. While most species are hardy in their natural habitats, many cultivated varieties require protection from extreme cold, making them ideal for indoor cultivation or greenhouse environments during winter months.
Cyclamen’s distinctive flowers, resembling upswept butterfly wings, emerge on slender stems above a compact rosette of heart-shaped leaves. These leaves often feature intricate silver or white marbling patterns, adding to the plant’s ornamental value even when not in bloom. The flowers come in various shades of pink, red, white, and purple, providing a vibrant burst of color during the darker winter months.
One of cyclamen’s remarkable qualities is its ability to thrive in urban environments. Studies have shown that cyclamen possesses a high tolerance for air pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide. The plant’s leaves can absorb this toxic gas and, through metabolic processes, convert it into less harmful substances such as sulfates. This characteristic makes cyclamen an excellent choice for indoor air purification and urban landscaping.
Cyclamen care requires attention to specific cultural needs:
Beyond its horticultural significance, cyclamen holds cultural importance in various regions. It is the official city flower of Qingzhou City in Shandong Province, China. The plant’s graceful form and vibrant blooms have also inspired its use in broader contexts, such as being chosen as the mascot for the 43rd World Table Tennis Championships held in Tianjin in 1995.
In the language of flowers, cyclamen is often associated with sincere affection and resignation, making it a thoughtful gift for various occasions. Its ability to bloom during winter has also linked it symbolically to hope and perseverance in challenging times.
As indoor plants or in sheltered garden settings, cyclamens offer a delightful display of color and form, brightening spaces during the coldest months of the year. Their unique beauty, air-purifying qualities, and cultural significance make them a valuable addition to any plant enthusiast’s collection.
For those seeking winter-blooming flora, the Red Bauhinia (Bauhinia blakeana) stands out as a spectacular December flowering tree. This evergreen member of the Fabaceae family typically reaches heights of 6-10 meters, offering both ornamental beauty and practical urban landscaping benefits.
Also known as the Hong Kong Orchid Tree or Bauhinia x blakeana, this hybrid species produces striking flowers from November through April. The blossoms are impressively large, measuring up to 15 centimeters across, and display a rich spectrum of colors ranging from vibrant red to deep purplish-red.
The flower’s structure is particularly noteworthy, featuring five petals arranged in a perfect circular formation. This symmetrical design, combined with the tree’s lush, year-round foliage, creates a visually stunning display when in full bloom.
The Red Bauhinia’s canopy becomes a tapestry of color, with hundreds of flowers adorning its branches against a backdrop of glossy, heart-shaped leaves.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Red Bauhinia possesses qualities that make it an excellent choice for urban environments. It demonstrates remarkable resilience to air pollution, effectively withstanding smoke and dust. This characteristic, coupled with its moderate size and attractive appearance, makes it an ideal selection for street plantings and city parks.
The tree’s olfactory appeal further enhances its charm. When in bloom, the Red Bauhinia releases a subtle, sweet fragrance reminiscent of orchids, which contributes to its colloquial name, “Orchid Tree.” This scent adds an extra dimension to the sensory experience of encountering these trees in bloom.
It’s worth noting that while the Red Bauhinia is often associated with Hong Kong, where it serves as the floral emblem, it thrives in various tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its adaptability to different soil types and moderate drought tolerance further contribute to its popularity in landscaping.
For gardeners and urban planners alike, the Red Bauhinia offers a perfect blend of beauty, practicality, and seasonal interest, making it a valuable addition to any winter-flowering garden or cityscape.
The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is one of the most celebrated winter-blooming houseplants, flowering prolifically from late autumn through early spring. This epiphytic succulent, native to the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil, is also known by several common names including Thanksgiving Cactus, Holiday Cactus, and Crab Claw Cactus, reflecting its distinctive segmented stems.
The blooming period of the Christmas Cactus typically extends from October to February, with peak flowering often coinciding with the holiday season. Its vibrant, tubular flowers come in a range of colors including pink, red, purple, and white, creating a stunning display against the dark green, flattened stem segments.
The unique morphology and prolific blooming habit of the Christmas Cactus make it an excellent choice for indoor cultivation. Its cascading growth pattern is particularly suited for hanging baskets or elevated planters. While grafting is occasionally practiced to enhance vigor or create multi-colored specimens, most Christmas Cacti are grown on their own roots.
Despite its winter-blooming nature, the Christmas Cactus is not frost-hardy. It thrives best in conditions that mimic its natural epiphytic habitat in tropical forests. Optimal growing conditions include:
To encourage abundant blooming, the Christmas Cactus requires a period of short days and long nights (photoperiodism) starting in autumn. Providing 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for about six weeks can induce bud formation. Once buds appear, normal light conditions can be resumed.
With proper care, including appropriate light, temperature, and moisture management, a Christmas Cactus can provide a spectacular floral display throughout the winter months, bringing vibrant color to indoor spaces during the darker days of the year.
Dahlias are spectacular flowering plants that grace gardens with their vibrant blooms from midsummer through late fall. These perennial tubers typically flower from June to November, with peak blooming occurring in late summer and early autumn. The fruiting period for dahlias generally spans from September to October.
Dahlia plants grow from underground tubers, which are thick, fleshy storage organs rather than true roots. These tubers are elongated and clustered, resembling a bunch of slender sweet potatoes.
The stems of dahlias are herbaceous, upright, and extensively branched, creating a bushy appearance. Depending on the variety, dahlia plants can range in height from compact 30 cm (1 foot) border plants to impressive specimens reaching up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall.
One of the most captivating features of dahlias is their extraordinary diversity in flower form and color. Blooms can be found in an extensive palette, including rich reds, sunny yellows, vivid oranges, deep purples, soft pinks, and pure whites. Many dahlia varieties also display intricate color combinations, featuring bi-colors, color blends, and striking patterns.
Originating from Mexico and Central America, dahlias hold a special place in Mexican culture and were declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963. They symbolize dignity, elegance, and gratitude. The Aztecs cultivated dahlias for food, medicine, and ceremonial purposes long before European colonization.
Dahlias have gained worldwide popularity among gardeners and flower enthusiasts due to their long blooming period, diverse forms, and the sheer variety of cultivars available. The American Dahlia Society recognizes 21 official flower forms, from simple single blooms to complex, densely petaled varieties.
While dahlias are primarily grown for ornamental purposes, their tubers do contain inulin, a type of dietary fiber with potential health benefits. Inulin is a prebiotic that can support gut health and may help regulate blood sugar levels. However, it’s important to note that dahlias are not typically consumed for medicinal purposes in modern practice.
In garden settings, dahlias are prized for their versatility. They can be used as striking focal points, incorporated into mixed borders, or grown specifically for cut flowers. With proper care, including regular deadheading and appropriate winter storage of tubers in colder climates, dahlias can provide a spectacular floral display year after year.
What flowers bloom in December? The Narcissus, also known as the Daffodil, not only blooms in December but also has an exceptionally long flowering period, typically from December to the end of April.
The Narcissus is a perennial bulbous plant from the Amaryllidaceae family. Its scientific name is Narcissus, encompassing various species and cultivars. While some Narcissus species do bloom around Christmas, the common name “Christmas Galanthus” actually refers to a different plant, Galanthus elwesii, which is a type of snowdrop.
Narcissus flowers are renowned for their diverse shapes and colors. The most common varieties feature a trumpet-shaped corona surrounded by six petal-like tepals. Colors range from pure white to vibrant yellows, with some cultivars displaying pink, orange, or bicolor patterns. The flowers can be solitary or appear in clusters, creating stunning visual displays.
In many cultures, Narcissus symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings, aligning with its early blooming period that often heralds the arrival of spring. In Chinese culture, it’s known as “水仙” (Shuǐxiān), which translates to “water immortal,” and is associated with good fortune and prosperity for the New Year.
Narcissus plants are not only ornamental but also have practical uses. Some species, like Narcissus tazetta, are cultivated for their fragrant essential oils used in perfumery. However, it’s important to note that all parts of Narcissus plants contain toxic alkaloids and should not be ingested.
For gardeners, Narcissus offers several advantages. They are relatively low-maintenance, resistant to deer and rodents, and can naturalize in suitable conditions, returning year after year with minimal care. Their early blooming period provides crucial nectar for early-emerging pollinators, contributing to garden biodiversity.
With their beauty, symbolism, and practical benefits, Narcissus flowers have rightfully earned their place as favorites among flower enthusiasts and gardeners alike.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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