Transform your terrace with colourful winter blooms this season

Winter drapes Bangladesh in a pale, poetic silence. The sun acts shy, the city loses its usual sparkle, and the mornings are filled with gentle, colourless fog. True that, this quiet, muted beauty has its charm, but it also leaves a subtle longing for vibrancy, the kind that whispers, "Could you bring back some colour?" And that's exactly where winter blooms step in like tiny rebels breaking through the monochrome landscape.

But winter does not have to be all grey and boring. You will be surprised to know how you can liven things up with vivid flowering plants. Just a few pots of petunias, cosmos, or calendulas can totally transform your balcony or terrace from a drab spot to a vibrant hangout space.

A burst of orange from the marigolds, a cluster of violet from the dianthus, or a playful streak of pink from the zinnias simply changes the mood of a mundane morning. And when you open your eyes to the first rays of sun, you will see your portulaca flowers waving "good morning" to you, as they only bloom when exposed to sunlight.

Luckily, winter plants don't need the drama.  A little water, a little sun, and they will generously reward you with vibrant blooms from December to February. The cooler temperatures and lower evaporation rates in winter keep the soil moist for a longer period compared to summer or spring. So, for most of the plants, watering once a day is enough, which is a definite bonus. Moreover, pruning or trimming the branches is not necessary for them and can be left to grow independently.

"People who can't spare much time for gardening usually go for winter plants since they are super low-maintenance. Plus, you don't have to worry about pests at this time of year," says Abdur Rahman, plant seller at Shahbagh." Just ensure that you don't keep them all indoors, because some shrubs might need the sunlight," he added.

The price of marigolds, dianthus, and calendulas is around Tk 60, while hybrid roses are typically priced at no more than Tk 400, depending on the size of the plant. These roadside plant shops also sell pots along with the plants, so you won't need to break a sweat while potting them yourself.

Asad, who was busy helping customers at his roadside plant shop in Agargaon, mentioned, "In Bangladesh, winter flowers are popular for their bright colours, even though they usually don't have any smell. But if you want fragrant flowers, you can always go for the Chinese or Iranian roses."

Needless to say, if you want a picturesque balcony without the hassle, winter is the jackpot season. Because potted plants don't just enhance your space; they bring it to life in gloomy days. Once you experience the joy, charm, and character that just a few plants can add, and how many butterflies they can invite, you will find yourself rushing to the nearest nursery faster than the winter sun sets at 5 PM — guaranteed.