Daisy Edgar-Jones’ White Spring Blooms Are Exactly What Your Garden Needs to Shake Off the Winter Blues

I keep going back to this post Daisy Edgar-Jones shared on Instagram last April, and find myself mentally fast-forwarding to spring. But now I've decided to stop wishing winter away, and lean into it instead.

Crisp air, bare branches, the feeling of renewal just on the horizon, and of course, flowers. Believe it or not, winter gardens don’t have to be all brown and gloomy. With the right plants, winter whites can look calm, elegant, and quietly stunning, while giving you just a taste of the spring season ahead.

White winter flowers like snowdrops, hellebores, and winter jasmine bring light even into the darkest months. They’re subtle and don’t crave attention, which is exactly why they work so well when everything else is dormant and resting. Here’s how to create a white, winter-flowering display that feels intentional rather than just thrown together.

Start with Reliable White Winter Bloomers

Always start a winter display with flowers that genuinely enjoy the cold weather rather than the ones that look like they’re barely hanging on after the holiday season is over.

Snowdrops: Snowdrops are ever the ultimate winter optimists. These tiny white bells often push right through frozen soil and even snow, which is how they got their name. Walmart sells snowdrop bulbs in a pack of 7.

Pro tip: For the most impact, plant these bulbs in the fall and keep them in clusters.

Hellebores: Hellebores are often called Christmas or Lenten roses, and these are the workhorses of winter. Their creamy white blooms last for several weeks, and they match beautifully with evergreen foliage. These hellebores from Walmart come live at 6 inches (15 cm) tall.

Winter jasmine: Winter jasmine often adds a soft, airy look to a garden with white or pale blooms (depending on what variety you get) that can brighten walls, fences or containers on gray days.

Use Evergreens as the Backdrop

You'll work with white flowers differently in winter than you do in summer. Rather than blending into a sea of color as they do during those ever-loved warmer months, white flowers will stand out on cloudy days in winter.

Naturally, white flowers will shine brightest when they’re set against a dark background. Evergreens are nature’s contrast filter. Boxwood, yew, holly, and dwarf spruce all provide structure while making your white flowers visually pop.

Pro tip: Repeat the same evergreen shapes throughout your garden to maintain a cohesive and calm look.

Containers Make Winter Gardening Easier

If digging into frozen soil isn’t your cup of tea (and honestly, who actually enjoys that?), winter containers are your best friend. Use sturdy pots with good drainage and fill them with winter-hardy plants like hellebores or small evergreen shrubs paired with white cyclamen. Amazon has a great selection of indoor and outdoor containers in bright colors, like this plastic one (meaning it'll hold up well during the freeze-thaw cycle).

For extremely cold climates, consider placing the pots near walls or wrapping them in burlap to protect the roots from freezing solid. Containers are super easy, as you can move them around with the changing weather. Winter gardening should be flexible, not punishing.

Think in Layers, Not Color Explosions

Winter whites are all about layering textures rather than piling plants on top of each other. Combine white flowers with glossy evergreen leaves, silvery foliage (like dusty miller or lamb’s ear), and bare branches or ornamental grasses. This will create depth without overwhelming your space.

If your winter flowers are in containers, group pots at different heights to add visual interest while keeping the color palette simple. These pots from Amazon come in a variety of colors and heights.

Keep Winter Flowers Happy (and Alive)

Cold-hardy doesn’t mean you can just let them go and not do anything; a little care goes a long way, and it’s all about balance.

Water sparingly – plants need less moisture in winter. Don't stop watering completely, though – this is a common winter watering mistake that leads to dried out roots. If your plants are in the ground, remember to insulate the roots with mulch to keep the soil from freezing. This mulch from Home Depot works well for winter protection without smothering the crowns of your plants.

Bring Winter Whites Indoors

White winter flowers aren’t just for outside. Hellebores and jasmine cuttings look beautiful in indoor arrangements, especially if you pair them with a simple vase or ceramic bowl.

Strip the lower leaves from the stems, and refresh the water every few days. Keep the bouquet away from heat sources, as indoor heat is actually the real villain, not winter itself.

Let Winter Be Quiet (That’s the Point)

A winter garden isn’t about abundance, but rather restraint, texture, and calm beauty. With hardy white flowers, some evergreen structure, and a few smart container choices, winter gardens can feel peaceful rather than bleak. Sometimes winter doesn’t need more color – just better design.