India is a tropical country that enjoys a hot, dry climate except during heavy monsoon rainfall occurring between June and September. Winters are warm, especially in the south of the country, although cold conditions can occur at high altitude in mountainous regions in the north. In the south, average winter temperatures remain above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. A variety of native plants, shrubs and trees produce flowers throughout the year, including some that flower in the winter months of December through February. Does this Spark an idea?
Flowering Trees
Trees that flower during the winter months in India include the Sita Ashok. This tree is native to India and is an evergreen, meaning that it does not lose its leaves during the fall. It grows throughout the country, including the Maharashtra and Bangalore regions. The Sita Ashok produces flowers all year round, but the most blooming season is in the winter months of January and February, when clusters of tubular flowers cover the tree's branches. The flowers are initially yellow, but they become orange, then crimson, as they age on the branch. Another tree that produces flowers in winter is the Flame of the Forest. This tree grows up to 40 feet in height and is deciduous, losing its leaves in December and early January. In January, once the leaves have fallen, the tree produces clusters of orange flowers along its branches, and the flowers continue to bloom through February and into March.
Flowering Shrubs
A number of shrubs native to India produce flowers during the winter months. The Assam Indigo is a flowering shrub that can grow to a height of 6 feet. The shrub is a perennial, meaning it regrows each year from the same root system and does not have to be re-seeded or re-planted. The Assam Indigo grows in the northeastern part of the country and produces bell-shaped flowers that appear in mid-winter. Once the winter flowers have fallen, a second blooming season begins in the spring, and flowers continue into the early summer. Another shrub that flowers in the winter is the King's Mantle. This shrub was introduced to India from Africa and is now established as a plant cultivated in Indian gardens. The King's Mantle grows to a height of 4 feet and produces round, purple-tipped flowers that appear in the coldest part of the winter.
Flowering Climbers
Vines are climbing plants, and some, including the Bread Flower plant, develop woody stems. The Bread Flower is a climbing plant native to India and produces white flowers, shaped like round cups. The flowers, which bloom in December through April, produce a fragrant aroma and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Another native climbing plant is the Scarlet Clock Vine. This plant is tropical and is most often found in the wild. It produces broad green leaves, and hanging clusters of long, red flowers that bloom in late fall through the winter and into spring. Flowers cease to bloom in the hottest summer months.
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