Jasminum nudiflorum; photo courtesy of Flickr cc/m.shattock
It’s always a delight to come upon flowers in the winter, and there are a surprising number of plants that do bloom at this time of year. Here are just a few of the trees and shrubs that can be planted for winter interest in the New York metropolitan area. The month of interest may vary from year to year with environmental conditions.
January:
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
Jasminum nudiflorum
winter jasmine
February:
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
Chimonanthus praecox var. 'Grandiflorus'
winter jasmine
Hamamelis mollis
Chinese witch hazel
Hamamelis vernalis
vernal witch hazel
Edgeworthia chrysanthia (zone 7 and above)
paperbush
March:
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
Abellophyllum distichum
white forsythia
Acer rubrum
red maple
Acer saccharinum
silver maple
Alnus incana
gray alder
Cornus mas
cornelian cherry
Corylopsis pauciflora
buttercup winter hazel
Corylopsis sinensis
Chinese winter hazel
Lindera benzoin
spicebush
Lonicera fragrantissima
winter honeysuckle
Mahonia beali (needs a protected site)
leatherleaf mahonia
Salix spp.
willow
The yellow flowers of Corylopsis pauciflora (buttercup winter hazel); photo by Ivo Vermeulen
The Garden in the Winter by 
