(Image Credit: Ankhesenamun, Unsplash)
You may think that autumn and winter mean it’s time to close down the garden for good, but it doesn’t have to be! In fact, winter can be a great excuse to get the gardening gloves out, as with the right choice of plant, you can create a garden that not only survives the colder months, but thrives in them too!
Autumn and winter can be a great time to plant annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs that will bring colour and brightness into your garden.
Garden design expert James Ewens from Alexander Francis lists his top picks of flowers that will thrive, even in the chillest of weather:
“Many plants are great for colder seasons. Throughout autumn, you can focus on flowers, scents, berries, and dramatic evergreen foliage to bring colour and warmth to your garden, which at times can feel bare and frosty as the weather gets colder.”
“Below are my top picks for winter plants that you can add to your garden starting from now, so as the autumn glow fades, you will be surprised at the colour and splendour your garden can still offer.”
My top picks for winter plants:
Strawberry Tree
When not producing juicy fruits, Arbutus unedo (more commonly known as the strawberry tree) produces clusters of sweet white or pink-tinged bell-shaped flowers from October to December – great for the colder months. It can be grown in large containers, making it a good choice for patios or courtyards, and its drought tolerance makes it suitable for growing on sloping areas or banks where soil drainage might be an issue for other plants.
Clematis Cirrhosa
This little climber plant is an evergreen that blooms during the winter months. It retains its green leaves throughout the whole year, and delights gardeners with its bell-shaped, creamy white or pale yellow flowers from November to March. Its delicate, bell-shaped flowers will cascade over the surface, making beautiful pergola decorations or an eye-catching doorway display.
Hamamelis × intermedia (Witch Hazel)
My top pick for any winter garden is Hamamelis x intermedia, or known to everyone as Witch Hazel. It blooms from December to March, and produces unique spidery, ribbon-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, or red, depending on the variety. The magical thing about this plant is that many give off a sweet, spicy scent that can be enjoyed even on cold days. These little plants are also known for their durability, and can appear even when there’s snow on the ground.
Iris unguicularis AGM (Winter Iris)
This plant is ideal for borders, rock gardens, or even pots, making it versatile for a variety of garden settings. It is relatively low maintenance for those who aren’t gardening fanatics, but will give you the results of an expert with its beautiful lilac and pale purple blooms from October to March – perfect for adding soft colour to your winter garden. Just make sure to keep it in an area where it is receiving as much sun and warmth as possible, in which it will thrive.
Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’
Elaeagnus is another evergreen shrub known for its large leathery leaves with bright yellow centres, which make them a great choice for adding autumn colour to the garden. In autumn, they grow delicate silvery white flowers that are highly fragrant and attract pollinators too. As the Maculata is very weather resistant, it works well as a standalone feature, in mixed borders, or as a hedge too.
Mahonia × media ‘Charity’ AGM
While most plants are dormant throughout the colder seasons, the charity plant will produce long, spiky clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom all the way through autumn and winter. On top of this, after blooming, it produces clusters of blue-black berries, which are a food source for birds once they come out of hibernation. Their spiny leaves are also great at creating structure in the garden, and can act as a backdrop to other feature plants like the strawberry tree or witch hazel.
Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica AGM
Unlike most Clematis, this variety blooms from late autumn to early spring. It is a beautiful yet unusual choice for the garden thanks to its creamy white or pale green flowers with brown specks inside. Its fine and glossy leaves offer colour all year round, and as this is a climber it can be used to create feature trellises, fences, or walls to add a real focus point in the garden.
But remember!
“Depending on the severity of the winter, flowering times for shrubs and plants can vary. Some may bloom sporadically over several weeks or months, and some not at all, but with a bit of TLC and patience, you can often still enjoy a beautiful floral display when the conditions eventually improve.”
“With that said, winter doesn’t have to mean the end of a vibrant garden. With the right selection and plants, you can transform your outdoors into a space that beams with colour and life. So, get ready to dig in and plant these winter gems, ensuring your garden shines vibrantly no matter the season!
James Ewens from Alexander Francis