More and more gardeners are embracing the concept of seasonal planting to ensure that their gardens aren’t bleak and bare all winter long. For the winter season, this means planting flowers that are capable of blooming in the darkest, coldest period of the year. Of course, the flowers that will bloom during winter will depend on your locale. Different annuals, bulbs, and shrubs will thrive in the colder and snowier, northern parts of the country than in the relative warmth of the South.
Some flowers that you may be seeing more of this winter include crocuses, snowdrops, and winter aconite. All these lovely blooms are hardy enough to pop up through the snow. Winterberry and witch hazel are two shrubs that can also thrive in winter weather and provide some life to gardens and landscapes during the cold season.
If you’re thinking of getting in on this trend, the USDA’s Hardiness Zone map can help you figure out what plants and flowers will survive and thrive during the winter in your location. Once you know what planting zone you live in, you can pick the right bulbs and shrubs for your garden. Alternatively, if you’re looking to spruce up your interior decor, check out UrbanStems’ winter collection for a lovely selection of seasonal bouquets and plants.
Pressed Flowers are (Almost) Forever
Decorating with dried and pressed flowers is a trend that continues to gain steam. At the beginning of 2023, the Flower Council of Holland identified “Collecting Memories” as one of their themes for the coming year. This fits perfectly with the movement towards using dried flowers to beautify living spaces. People are increasingly drying and pressing their own flowers—from wedding bouquets to blooms from their gardens—to preserve their most cherished memories in a lasting fashion.
If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ll likely have seen evidence of this trend. And you’ll possibly have even come across tutorials for drying and pressing your own flowers. It’s relatively simple to do, and it’s a wonderful way to preserve and display your own floral memories. If you do it properly, pressed plants can last a lifetime—the British Natural History Museum has pressed herbs and flowers in their collection that date back to the late 1600s!
Of course, if drying and pressing your own flowers sounds like more work than you have time, you can also purchase dried arrangements to bring a classic look to your living space this winter. And you can be confident it’s a look that will last—while dried and pressed flowers are having a particular moment right now, it’s one of those looks that never really goes out of style.
A Whole Indoor World
The Florist’s Review forecast for 2023 predicted floral trends would combine a “deep appreciation for the environment with the human urge to choreograph the spaces with which we interact.” A mouthful, to be sure, but in simple terms, it means that terrariums are very much in vogue. Creating an enclosed (or open) mini-ecosystem is a great way to bring your garden indoors for the winter season.
Your standard terrarium is much more likely to feature houseplants than flowers. However, there are certain flowers capable of thriving in terrariums as well, from oxalis to orchids. Featuring flowering plants is also a popular option. Just be certain to pick the right mix for your preferred terrarium style—a closed terrarium requires plants and flowers that thrive in humid conditions, while an open terrarium provides a bit more flexibility.
Succulents also make a great basis for an attractive terrarium. Whether you buy a specialized container or repurpose an old glass jar, this is a great DIY project for winter decorating.
Barbiecore on Hold (Temporarily, of Course)
This year has been all about bright, bold colors. That trend hasn’t necessarily fully played itself out. Come next spring, you can still expect to see plenty of displays of pink that would make Barbie blush. But in the winter season, more muted shades are traditionally in style. The winter of 2023 will be no exception.
Reds and yellows are shaping up to be the colors of this winter. Pantone has highlighted “spectra yellow,” a slightly muted, mustardy tone, as one of its shades of the season. Softer, buttery shades of yellow are also making a splash right now in the world of fashion.
Likewise, minimalism and neutral colors are slated to play a big role in design trends this Christmas season. Holiday decorations will whisper comfortingly rather than scream at you from the top of their lungs.
What does that mean for floral design this winter? It means you can’t go wrong with warm arrangements that provide a balm to the frost and cold of the outside world. Classic displays like The Gemma will be very much on trend. Its hammered gold vase is the perfect complement to its preserved hydrangeas and fully completes the out-of-time feeling of this arrangement.
End the Year, With Flowers
Staying on top of these flower trends will ensure that any visitors to your home stay warm this winter season. Whether you’re planning to undertake some DIY flower projects this winter or purchase a few seasonal arrangements, make sure you’re checking out UrbanStems for the latest and greatest!
