Top 20 Most Common Flower of Winter Plants in Chicago

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Top 20 Most Common Flower of Winter Plants in Chicago

In the cold, crisp winter of Chicago, Illinois, a few plant species can still be seen flowering against the snow-laden landscape. The vibrant blossoms of Garden cosmos brighten up the garden in late autumn and early winter. Known for its symmetrical feathery leaves and daisy-like petals in a variety of hues, this plant thrives in the area's full sun and well-drained soil. Though native to tropical regions, the Florist kalanchoe is a popular indoor plant in Chicago due to its resilience against cooler climates. Bearing clusters of small, wax-like flowers, its bloom peaks around December, adding a splash of color indoors amidst the grays of winter outside. Then there's Prairie blazing star, a deciduous shrub that blooms in late fall, often persisting into December. Its sparse, yellow flowers are uniquely resistant to cold weather and serve as a testament to life in the frosty Midwest winters. These plant species' ability to bloom in winter make them a noteworthy part of Chicago’s winter flora.

Most Common Flower Plants of Winter

Garden cosmos

1. Garden cosmos

Garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a herbaceous annual plant often cultivated as an ornamental in temperate regions. Due to its self-sowing ability, garden cosmos can grow on the same spot for several years, even though it is an annual. Not surprisingly, this quality also made it an invasive species in certain areas of the world.

Mid summer, Late summer, Fall, Early winter

Florist kalanchoe

2. Florist kalanchoe

Florist kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) originates from Madagascar and has been a popular houseplant since the 1930s. Unlike most other succulents that are grown for their interesting leaves, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is valued for the colorful flowerheads it produces in autumn and winter. This is the reason it is commonly gifted during holidays, earning it another name - Christmas kalanchoe. It is toxic to pets.

Spring, Late fall, Winter

Witch hazel

Witch hazel was used quite commonly in the 20th century for locating water sources. The practice, called dowsing or water witching, is still occasionally used. In dowsing, a forked stick of witch hazel is held perpendicular to the ground and moved slowly over it. The belief is that when a water source is directly under the stick, it will dip or jump.

Fall, Early winter

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Prairie blazing star

4. Prairie blazing star

Tall fuzzy-looking flowers set this perennial wildflower, prairie blazing star apart from others. It’s pretty pink and purple blooms appear in late summer. This flower is often grown as an ornamental and is drought tolerant and attractive to butterflies. The seeds are easy to collect and store, but scarification is needed to make the seeds germinate.

Summer, Fall, Early winter

Sulfur cosmos

5. Sulfur cosmos

Sulfur cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is an annual flowering plant native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Though widely used as an ornamental plant, sulfur cosmos is considered an invasive species in the United States. It attracts bees and butterflies, including the notable monarch butterfly.

Summer, Fall, Early winter

New guinea impatiens

6. New guinea impatiens

New guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) is a flowering plant native to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. New guinea impatiens is commonly cultivated as a garden plant, especially in nurseries. New guinea impatiens is often bred with other species to improve its ability to withstand droughts.

Mid spring, Late spring, Summer, Fall, Early winter

False christmas cactus

7. False christmas cactus

False christmas cactus gets its name from its flowering season; producing red purple pink or white flowers from fall to winter. Native to a small coastal strip on the east of Brazil this cactus prefers the shade and humidity of jungle conditions. In the wild hummingbirds pollinate the flowers.

Early spring, Winter

Pot marigold

8. Pot marigold

The pot marigold is a herbaceous perennial plant often recognized by its thick, orange-yellow blooms with numerous petals. Flowers of the pot marigold have a long history of table use. They are often served in salads or as a decoration. The flowers can also be made into a similarly-colored dye for foods, textiles, or cosmetic products.

Summer, Fall, Early winter

Flamingo flower

9. Flamingo flower

Flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum) is an ornamental perennial plant, famous for its pink or bright red heart-shaped flowers with very prominent pistils. Aside from its decorative attributes, flamingo flower is said to have excellent air-purifying properties.

Busy lizzie

10. Busy lizzie

The long-lasting blooms of busy lizzie are a riot of color. The flowers generally range from vibrant purple to orange. Some of the flowers are used for hair coloring and dyes. Its genus name, Impatiens, comes from the word "impatiens" or "impatient" in Latin because the seed pods are often in a rush to open up.

Mid spring, Late spring, Summer, Fall, Early winter

Yellow trout lily

11. Yellow trout lily

Yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum) is a spring-flowering plant found in woodland areas throughout North America. The common name yellow trout lily was given to this plant because its leaves coloration resembles a species of trout.

Spring, Late winter

Madagascar periwinkle

12. Madagascar periwinkle

The madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is an evergreen subshrub or herbaceous plant. It has a long history of cultivation. Over the years, many cultivars have been developed, most commonly with the aim of incorporating new colors or making the plant more tolerant to cold.

Bird of paradise

13. Bird of paradise

The bird of paradise is a bright, flowering plant. It is native to South Africa, where it is important to national culture, even being featured on the country's 50-cent coin. The bird of paradise has also become the official flower of Los Angeles in spite of its non-native status. In the wild, these flowers attract sunbirds as pollinators.

Summer, Fall, Winter

Johnny jump up

14. Johnny jump up

The johnny jump up resembles a small pansy. The flowers are edible and can be consumed in salads, drinks, or used as a garnish, though they're best eaten only in small amounts. Ancient Greek legends told that the goddess Aphrodite colored the previously white flowers purple to make her son, Eros, less attracted to them.

Spring, Early summer, Winter

Winter aconite

15. Winter aconite

Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is a flowering plant in the buttercup family and is found in woodland areas in Europe. Both its common name and its scientific specific epithet recognize it as an early blooming plant and a spring ephemeral that remains dormant through much of the year. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and other animals.

Rheumatism-root

16. Rheumatism-root

Rheumatism-root (Jeffersonia diphylla) is an uncommon, often protected forest plant. In spring, it produces fragile white flowers that fall apart easily. Each leaf is divided into two symmetrical lobes that resemble angel or butterfly wings. The genus was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, who was not only an American President but also an amateur botanist.

Spring, Summer, Late winter

Scarlet-star

17. Scarlet-star

Scarlet-star (Guzmania lingulata) is a flowering plant also commonly known as the droophead tufted airplant. Scarlet-star is commonly cultivated as an ornamental houseplant. It is native to rainforest environments in South America and Central America.

White blue-eyed grass

18. White blue-eyed grass

The white blue-eyed grass is a perennial plant native to eastern North America. It gets its Latin name, Sisyrinchium albidum, from the Greek words "sys" and "rhinos", which mean "pig snout" and refer to the tubers that pigs dig up. This plant has grass-like flowering stalks that bees and flower flies are attracted to.

Spring, Summer, Winter

Persian cyclamen

19. Persian cyclamen

Persian cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a flowering herbaceous perennial native to Turkey, Israel, northern Africa and some Greek islands. The persian cyclamen root can be combined with lime and added to lakes in order to stun fish. This method of fishing is banned in many jurisdictions.

Spring, Early summer, Mid fall, Late fall, Winter

Cornelian cherry

20. Cornelian cherry

Cornelian cherry (*Cornus mas*) is a flowering deciduous shrub native to Central Europe, Southern Europe, and Western Asia. While this species' ripe fruit is edible, the unripe fruit has a harsh, astringent taste and should not be consumed. Unlike most other types of wood, the wood from this species is dense enough to sink in water.

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