Colour in your garden doesn’t have to wait until spring or summer. During the winter there are many plants that will give you interest, texture and excitement.
Cerys (Plant Area Expert) has chosen her top winter plants to add to your garden:
Hellebore
“Hellebores flower when not much else is, they have large flower heads which attract pollinators to your garden. They come in pinks, whites and even dark purples, flowering right through from winter to spring.”
Snowdrops
“Snowdrops are my favourite in winter as they are a sign that spring is nearly on its way! They make me smile with their delicate white flowers that pop up everywhere. You can plant them in autumn as bulbs ready for flowering in late winter. If you have deciduous shrubs they won’t have any leaves on during winter so underplanting Snowdrops will ensure colour in your garden.”
Skimmia
“These evergreen plants have wonderful buds before they start to flower. They are then scented which attracts plenty of honey bees. In the Plant Area you can hear them hum as they collect pollen. Skimmia prefers ericaceous compost in a shady position.”
Cornus
“Cornus give height and structure to your garden with their tall, brightly coloured stems. It’s a good idea to plant them in sight of your window so you can see them when you don’t fancy going outside. I would suggest hard pruning them in spring so you get the best out of their colour again in the winter.”
Witch Hazel
“Witch Hazel has amazing spider like flowers which are scented. It’s a weird and wonderful plant which makes a great feature in your garden. I would plant where you have room for it to grow and spread to give it more potential.”
Christmas Box
“The smell alone stops you in your tracks, it’s truly wonderful! It’s also an early source of nectar for pollinators which is great if you want to encourage them into your garden. A dry, shady spot can be a hard area to plant in but Christmas Box loves it. Being evergreen it will give you colour all year round.”
For more ideas on winter plants, use our plant finder or use the plant kiosk in the Indoor Plant department. Our friendly team is also happy to help you!
