Like leftover ornaments on an abandoned Christmas tree, a few hardy blossoms offer bright spots of color in my winter landscape. How (and why!) these blossoms come in mid-winter is a mystery, but I am so glad they do! I know they are not really harbingers of spring. They are more like “tide-me-overs”, offering a little bit of flower beauty to keep gardeners going until spring weather brings a tidal wave of petals, color and fragrance. 
By far the most prolific of my “winter wonders” are the pink and white blooms of lenten rose (Hellebores.) With their freckled faces, they are truly lovely flowers, though you practically have to get down on your knees to see them. Lenten roses “nod,” hanging from the stem with their faces turned toward the ground. Perhaps this offers extra protection from the cold winds? or maybe they are just shy.
These flowers would be welcomed any time of year, but the fact that they come in the middle of winter makes they even more precious. Lenten roses are easy to grow and will spread rapidly when growing in a happy home.
Although there are many cultivars available now, offering double flowers and brighter colors, I like my hellebores just the way they are. I transplanted these from my Mama’s garden and what was good enough for Mama is good enough for me.
A little easier to spot are the blossoms from the ubiquitous and invasive Mahonia. Native to China, this hardy shrub has found perfect growing conditions in southern woods and is now considered a damaging invasive species. Although the lemon yellow flowers are pretty, clip them off once they have bloomed to prevent Mahonia from spreading further.
Two years ago, my sister, Sharon, gave me a small paper bush (Edgeworthia). The first year I was afraid it wouldn’t survive. The next year, I was afraid it was going to take over the garden. It is a hardy shrub that produces very fragrant, white or yellow flowers in mid to late winter. Though it gets big (up to 8 feet tall and 15 feet wide), it is not invasive.
I love all these winter flowers and are grateful for them, but I have to admit, I’m ready for a change of seasons. Last Friday, I threw a party for all the groundhogs in my back yard, set up a tent and offered umbrellas so no one would be scared of a shadow and jump back in the ground again to prolong winter. As for me and my groundhogs? We’re ready for spring.