British gardeners have been offered advice on the best flowers to plant for winter colour.
Plant pros at GardeningExpress.co.uk have revealed nine hardy climbers, shrubs and bedding plants which brave the cold to brighten up dreary gardens in the coldest, darkest months.
Blooming gardens are usually associated with the bright, warm days of spring and summer, but there are a variety of hardy plants that survive and even thrive in the colder months.
From pansies and daphne to snowdrops and clematis, these plants will help gardens look spectacular all year round.
A spokesperson for GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Gardens needn’t look dull, dreary and dormant through winter, as there are a number of fantastic plants which are perfect for adding a splash of colour in the coldest, darkest months.
“From climbers and shrubs to bedding plants and evergreens, there’s something suitable for every spot in every garden. Pots and flowers borders will be brightened up in no time.”
1. Christmas Rose
These flowers bloom usually in January but sometimes as early as Christmas. They feature large, round, white flowers above low-growing mounds of leathery, deep green foliage, and are perfect for growing at the front of a partially shaded border.
2. Pansies
These low-growing, bushy perennials have large, striking flowers and heart-shaped leaves, and are a gardener’s staple. The bicoloured flowers have darker, face-like markings in the centre. Most varieties flower in spring and summer but some have been bred to bloom November to March, so make sure you buy the right type.
3. Mahonia
Mahonias feature slender spikes of bright yellow flowers that are popular with winter-active bumblebees, as well as evergreen rosettes of glossy dark green leaves. They flower between November and March and should be grown in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
4. Daphne
These colourful shrubs bloom in late winter and early spring. They’re great for small gardens, with some varieties suiting window boxes and containers too. Most varieties bear clusters of small flowers in various shades of red or pink, and sometimes white or green too.
5. Snowdrops
Snowdrops are some of the first bulbs of the year to flower, heralding the end of winter. With so many different species and varieties to choose from, the snowdrop has fast become a winter favourite amongst UK gardeners. For natural looking drifts, gently cast the bulbs across the planting area and plant them exactly where they land.
6. Winter clematis
Winter clematis is a perennial climber with glossy, evergreen foliage, and it flowers December to January. As a group one clematis, they don’t need pruning, though this can be done lightly, straight after flowering, to restrict their size.
7. Heather
Winter-flowering heathers are inexpensive, and a brilliant plant for low-growing texture. Evergreen, easy to grow, small, manageable, and long-flowering, it looks great in pots and comes with pink, white and purple flowers.
8. Cyclamen
Braving the cold, Cyclamen are winter heroes that can be brought to flower from autumn to spring. The flowers come in a variety of red, pink and white shades, which look fantastic in pots or planted under trees.
9. Winter Aconite
Cheery winter aconite bulbs produce golden, cup-shaped flowers surrounded by a green collar of leaves. In fact, they look just like buttercups, except they flower in the depths of winter. They love a moist soil and a shady position, so they’re perfect for planting among trees.