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We've had some low mounds of pinks growing by our house which have been forming buds all fall and now even into January.

They are protected somewhat by the roof overhang but still, it has been down in the 20's F, way below freezing, making it surprising that they have survived and also that once I've brought the stems with buds inside they have bloomed. Not huge flowers mind you, but it is so pleasant seeing their tiny brightness.

Are bigger carnations and dianthus also that cold hardy?  It makes me think about growing more types just for winter flowers.

QuoteAre bigger carnations and dianthus also that cold hardy?

Umm...they can take quite a bit..but I would be tempted to answer 'no'. They are capable surviving quite low temperatures in cold GH, where they are kept quite dry over winter. Bigger flower and more easily they are damaged by cold and damp.

Its funny how just odd flower can 'shine' like jewel in this time of the year..and what a impact they have. I summer you can have every inch covered with bloom and it just looks 'colourful'.

Yesterday I was in the garden doing some 'flower spotting'... and found few snowdrops, odd winter jasmine flowers, some buds on 'winter honeysuckle' was just opening..loooovely..and I could smell the parfum of Xmas box in the air. 

Right...I'm off to do some more 'spotting'...its sunny and frosty morning out here and I don't want to miss that bit of rare sunshine 

Quote from: goodlife on January 09, 2013, 09:29:59

QuoteAre bigger carnations and dianthus also that cold hardy?

Umm...they can take quite a bit..but I would be tempted to answer 'no'. They are capable surviving quite low temperatures in cold GH, where they are kept quite dry over winter. Bigger flower and more easily they are damaged by cold and damp.

Its funny how just odd flower can 'shine' like jewel in this time of the year..and what a impact they have. I summer you can have every inch covered with bloom and it just looks 'colourful'.

Yesterday I was in the garden doing some 'flower spotting'... and found few snowdrops, odd winter jasmine flowers, some buds on 'winter honeysuckle' was just opening..loooovely..and I could smell the parfum of Xmas box in the air.   

Mmmm, "winter honeysuckle" sounds wonderful whatever that is.

QuoteMmmm, "winter honeysuckle" sounds wonderful whatever that is.

Here we are.. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/classid.4111/
You don't take much notice of the shrub, it is quite messy looking plant really, until you walk by and catch the lily-of-the-valley like scent in the air. And if you are not familiar with the shrub..it can take for while to spot the source for t the 'smell'. Flowers are tiny and don't stand out at all.

Here's another vote for winter honeysuckle, if you can put one somewhere unobtrusive because they are dead boring in summer. They grow ferociously, turn your back and there's another foot on the stems, but the scent is gorgeous. Not as sickly as the big summer climber, but a few stems brought inside scent a whole room deliciously.
And on the subject of dianthus, my parents' north-facing garden has clumps which are still sporadically flowering, they are a good value plant if you like.

I generally take a walk round the garden on New Year Day to pick flowers for the house.  Bad knees meant I couldn't manage it this year, but this is last years bunch - its surprising what stays in flower or starts early if you can keep it in a sheltered area



I particularly love the scented flowers at this time of year Some of mine include
Hammamalis
Winter Honeysuckle - 2types
Mahonia
Viburnums - several
Daphne
Clematis armandii
Bromptom stocks

Yes, Lonicera smells beautiful and is the most intensely fragrant flower and travels a long distance, more than any other I know.

What a beautiful bouquet, amazing for the winter. It looks like it should be an oil painting it is so lush!