Best Winter Annuals Ocala, Florida

Living in Ocala (solidly USDA Zone 9A) means we rarely see an extended freeze, but we do get enough chilly nights from December through February to make traditional summer annuals sulk. The good news? Our mild winters are perfect for a huge selection of cool season annuals that laugh at 25–35 °F nights and explode with color when the rest of the country is under snow.

Here are the proven, gardener favorite winter annuals that thrive in Ocala’s sandy soils, occasional frosts, and bright winter sun.

1. Pansies & Violas

The undisputed kings of the Ocala winter garden.

• Plant: Mid-October through early December

• Bloom time: November–April (sometimes into May)

• Best performers locally: Matrix®, Cool Wave®, and ‘Penny’ series for size and cold tolerance; Sorbet and Viola cornuta for smaller gardens and containers

• Tip: Full sun to very light afternoon shade. Deadhead spent blooms for nonstop flowers.

2. Petunias

Yes, petunias! The modern spreading types handle our winter perfectly.

• Plant after the last 80-degree day (usually late October–November)

• They’ll bloom through Christmas, slow down during the coldest weeks, then go berserk again in February–March

• Frost tolerance: Survives mid-20s with minimal damage; protect under 25 °F if you want perfection

• Pro move: Combine ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’ with purple pansies for a classic Ocala look.

3. Snapdragons

Nothing says “old-Florida charm” like tall snaps spiking above pansies.

• Best series: Rocket, Sonata, and the new ‘Chantilly’ open-faced types

• Height ranges from 8 inches (Sonata) to 36 inches (Rocket)

• Love our winter sun; the more light, the stockier and fuller they grow

• Bonus: Lightly fragrant on warm days in January.

4. Dianthus

Aka “pinks” – clove-scented and tough as nails.

• Top choices: Telstar, Ideal Select, and the Amazon Neon series

• Bloom heavily November–April

• Excellent edging plant; also killer in window boxes

• Tolerates down to about 20 °F with no cover.

5. Calendula

Bright orange and yellow “pot marigolds” that shrug off cold.

• Varieties: ‘Pacific Beauty’, ‘Bon Bon’, or the dwarf ‘Gitano’ series

• Edible flowers (mildly peppery) – toss petals in salads

• Self-sows politely in Ocala if you let a few go to seed in spring.

Planting & Care Tips Specific to Ocala (Zone 9A)

• Soil: Work in plenty of organic matter; our sand drains fast and winter rains can leach nutrients.

• Timing: Ideal planting window is October 15 – December 1. Earlier is fine; later risks weaker plants if a random cold snap hits.

• Frost protection: Keep frost cloth or old sheets handy for nights forecast below 28 °F. One or two light frosts won’t kill most of these, but covering keeps them pretty.

• Water: Less than you think! Winter annuals hate wet feet in cool weather.

Winter in Ocala doesn’t mean brown—it means color! Bella Design Landscapes is always happy to save an annual spot in your landscape design!