What is known as the most depressing day of the year, ‘Blue Monday’ named by Sky Travel back in 2005 and falls on the third Monday in January. Aptly named due to the come down from the festive season, what is typically the day everyone gives up on their new years’ resolutions, and what remains to be dull, dark, and cold, whilst we wait for the great British summertime to return.
This year falling on Monday 15 January 2024, it’s about time we bought some life and colour back to the day and introduce ‘Bloom Monday’. A day where we “stop and smell the flowers” – the winter bloomers!
Celebrating our favourites of those January delights, here are Pro Landscaper’s top 9, Bloom Monday delights.
Blooming from as early as September through until May, camellias one of the most romantic flowers around. With a deep meaning of romantic love, devotion, adoration and care as the flower symbolises two lovers where the petals represent the woman, and the leaves represent the man. Native to the tropical and subtropical areas in eastern and southern Asia, there are more than 220 described species in total.
Symbolising rebirth and new beginnings the daffodil is one of the first flowers to bloom at the end of the winter. They are one of the most popular spring choices, developing for several months before flowers begin the appear. Instantly recognisable, the yellow petals welcome a warm embrace and the reminder that sunshine awaits us.
The short-lived perennials which are popular for their colourful palette and marked middle, resembling a small face in the centre. Although they can flower all year round, pansies are particularly useful in winter, when little else is in bloom. Easy to grow, they are versatile and ideal for growing in all types of pot and container.
An important nectar source for butterflies, primrose flowers are small woodland plants native to the UK. Widespread across hedgerows and grasslands they are known throughout Irish folklore to protect the home from fairies when displayed across the doorway and used in British history by Queen Victoria to send to prime minister Benjamin Disraeli as they were his favourite.
With over 500 species scattered across the world, the collectively known violas are often mistaken for pansies due to their rainbow of shades and ombre patterns within. The fast-growing flowers are edible, used often as garnishes or even salad ingredients. However, their bloom depends on the climate as they flower longer in cooler climates.
Named after earrings opposed to drops of snow are symbolic of spring, purity and religion. One of the first flowers to appear in the new year, they became fashionable in the Victorian era following botanist John Gerard’s descriptions in his writings from 1597. Sturdier than they look, even pushing up their heads above a carpet of snow.
Appearing very quickly they surprise their spectators with a sudden bloom in the late winter. With buds that emerge directly from the soil, each bulb produces several flowers in quick succession. Without a stem, they lay close to the ground providing an important source of nutrients for bees with their rich golden pollen.
Hippeastrums, commonly known as amaryllis, these popular winter flowers will bloom year after year. It’s old name now only applying to a small genus of South African bulbs, the amaryllis are large-flowered bulbs, now grown indoors throughout the UK and bringing a burst of colour to our homes in the dark winter months.
Classic and elegant, the nodding flowers appear in shades of pink, white and green, often lasting until late spring with a thick clump of leaves remaining evergreen throughout the year. Belonging to the buttercup family, they are typically woodland edge plants, lending themselves to naturalistic schemes and informal plantings.