There’s something magical about winter! The celebrations and cheer in the air that are particularly felt at this time of the year. As we start the new year with positivity and hope, even nature warmly smiles and embraces this season. With fresh colourful blooms, radiant colours and a plethora of flowers smiling in full potential, it’s truly a magical time.

Winter, if you ask me, is all about smiling back at those full-blown colourful rainbow of flowers that nature has blessed us with. Early mornings when I work around my blooms and observe, I am awed by the colours, forms, shades and the minuscule detailing on each petal . As the saying goes, ‘the more I work on the garden, the more the garden works on me’.

It’s the perfect weather for outdoors so soak in the sun and get your natural and organic dose of vitamin sun or what you would connect as vitamin D. As you sit in your balcony or garden, with a book and a cup of hot chocolate and soak in the warm sunrays, it would indeed be a perfect set-up if your plants around agreed with you. Now that sounds very doable… right? So let’s start with adding a few blooming beauties to our natural surroundings.

This might sound difficult but takes minimal effort and loads of love. Check out these plants you absolutely must add to your garden or balcony to not miss the winter cheer around.

Petunia: Most popular and the easiest to grow, they are perfect for creating the hanging basket look around your balcony and garden. You can grow them in individual pots or garden beds.They come in a huge variety of colours and if well taken care of, they would spread very fast and last you all the way till March.

Marigold: These are an absolute must-have in your garden. Did you know that they are perfect insect repellants and great to have as they also have a faint aromatic smell around them. Blooming in our traditional festive shades of yellow and orange, they will add loads of positivity to your morning puja rituals. Imagining your pleasure of offering homegrown flowers is reason enough to get you started.

Dahlia: I personally love calling it “dream flower”. The beauty with which it blooms at its peak, just makes you adore them even more. I prefer to grow them in pots. Remember to use a single pot per sapling and place them in good sunny areas. Available in so many colours, once in full radiance, you can decorate them around at your will.

Alyssum: If you like bees and butterflies for company around your garden, this is the perfect plant to have. Also known as sweet alyssum, it’s great to give a great look to your garden bed.

Hollyhock: One of the most underrated plants amongst the annuals, these are tall and majestic and can be the highlight of your garden as they come in a variety of shades.

Calendula: Vibrant in mustard and orange, these florals are the easiest to grow and look stunning when planted on borders along with other winter beauties. The flowers are not just aesthetically pleasing but also have a lot of health and beauty benefits.

Cock’s Comb, Antirrhinum, Cineraria, Zinnia, Chrysanthemum and Pansy...

The list is endless and one could go on and on. Don’t fret if you don’t have a huge garden, these annuals can be done in small balconies as well. Go to your nearest green store, get some seedlings and plant them in containers, put them out for some days in the sun and see the magic begin. Once in full bloom, these are just the right aww-dorable winter touch one needs. And pat yourself on seeing your hard work yield such magnificent results.

Still wondering or dreaming about that view — balcony full blooms, winter vibes and a hot cup of tea. You can have it, all you need is to let nature embrace you in its lap.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Let the winter bloom magic get on to you.