I wanted to add some color to my drab landscape, so off I went to a local nursery.  I am so happy I did because now I can tell you about some perennial February bloomers that you can use to brighten up your own yard.  Before planting, however, be sure to prepare your soil if it isn't too wet; if it is, wait a bit.  For best results, deeply incorporate organic matter such as compost into your soil.  Compost is a food source for soil microorganisms, supplies essential nutrients for plant growth, increases infiltration of moisture and air into the soil and decreases erosion.  After planting, protect the roots from winter extremes by covering the ground with about 3" of mulch, keeping it from directly covering the crown of the plant.  Now, on with some wonderful February bloomers.    
           
Camellia is a reliable January through May bloomer which takes little work.  This evergreen wants to be in a shady part of your yard with some morning sun; it also needs well draining soil and shelter from strong, hot sun and drying winds.  There are over 3,000 species of camellia to choose from. 
           
Primula (Primrose) makes me smile as I'm sure it will make you do too since there are approximately 600 species to choose from. These perennials are hardy plants which need only light shade and a moist, well drained soil.  Did you know that its name comes from a medieval term meaning firstling of spring? 
           
Daphne odora (Winter Daphne) has an intense fragrance from small, pink flowers.  This is a temperamental evergreen plant with cream-edged leaves, but is well worth the careful attention you'll give it.  It needs a fast draining, porous soil and infrequent watering.  Give your Winter Daphne little or no water in the summer to increase the number of flowers and to prevent it dying from water mold.   
           
Dianthus (Pink) is of the Caryophyllaceae genus, but with a flatter and smaller flower than the more typical carnation.  Dianthus should not be over-watered, it likes a light, fast draining soil and doesn't like to be exposed to midday summer sun.  To prolong flowering, pick off the faded blooms and to promote bushy growth and more flower heads, pinch out the centers. To produce larger, but fewer blooms, pinch off the side shoots.
           
Forsythia will thrive in most soils.  Yellow flowers bloom in late winter all the way up bare branches; during the growing season, this hardy shrub has medium green foliage.  Its name means "Golden Bell" and the plant is a real pleasure in an otherwise colorless, late winter landscape.
             
Coleonema (Breath of Heaven) has slender branches with narrow, heath-like leaves.  Its twigs are fragrant and the tiny flowers pink or white.  It grows best in fast draining soil. To promote compactness, shear it lightly after bloom and for a more filmy look, thin out the interior stems of these evergreens.
           
Outside my laundry room window is a newly planted Jasminum mesnyi (Primrose Jasmine).   It is an evergreen vine with dark, green leaves and bright, yellow flowers.  It will eventually cover a blank spot on my fence or I could tie it up to create a waterfall look.
           
Hamamelis  mollis (Chinese Witch Hazel) is a slow grower to 12-15' and can also develop into a wide plant.  It has roundish, 3-6" long, dark green leaves which turn clear yellow in fall.  It produces showy, sweetly scented, yellow flowers about 1½" wide, which bloom on bare stems like forsythia.  Plant your deciduous Chinese Witch Hazel in sun or light shade.
           
I planted an Astartea fascicularis on a hill which does not get much summer water. This is an evergreen shrub with dainty, needle-like leaves along long stems.  Small, pink flowers dot the stems.  This plant will bloom over a long period, but the heaviest is in winter.  It will grow to 3' tall and a bit wider.
           
Now, after you have planted your February bloomers, protect their roots from winter extremes by covering the ground with about 3 inches of mulch.