Flowers You Didn’t Know Can Thrive In Winter


Shutterstock / Paul Maguire ©

Gardens are often thought of as being quite dull through the winter and then coming alive in spring. However, there are many flowers that can thrive in a British winter.

A spokesman for Garden Buildings Direct said, “We want to encourage homeowners to spruce up their gardens all year round. There is a whole range of easy-to-manage winter flowering plants, both well-known favourites and some more unusual varieties.

“Flowers such as winter heather and winter clematis are beautiful throughout the winter with their bright colours but also spread readily. So they can make a huge impact in any size of garden.”

Here are Garden Buildings Direct‘s top flowers for winter…

Snowdrops

Snowdrops are appropriately named, being the first bulbs of the year to flower, heralding the new year. They thrive from January to March with a variety of types now available, including single and double flowered. Once planted they will divide and spread happily year by year.

Low angle shot of snowdrops in sunlight, pushing up through brown leaves

Pic: Shutterstock

Christmas rose

These gorgeous small pink and white roses are the first of the hellebores to flower. They usually unfurl in January but can sometimes bloom as early as Christmas.

Pink and white Christmas rose or hellebore, Helleborus niger plant growing in a garden, UK

Pic: Shutterstock

Winter Aconites

These golden yellow buttercup-like flowers will bring light to even the gloomiest of winter days. They are perfect for planting beneath trees or within grass to create a beautiful carpet of bright yellow and will quickly begin to flower from February.

Eranthis hyemalis or winter aconite early yellow flowers on snow

Pic: Shutterstock

Algerian Iris

The large lilac-blue petals of this iris are revealed throughout the darkest days of Winter. The petals are held close together which makes for a fuller and larger iris. In mild weather, they can be seen flowering as early as Christmas through to March.

iris unguicularis / algerian iris close up;

Pic: Shutterstock

Mahonia

Best grown in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, these sunny yellow spikes of flowers are popular among gardeners and winter-active bumblebees!

Yellow flowers of mahonia, dark holly-like leaves

Pic: Shutterstock

Winter heather

As well as brightening up the garden with large plumes of purple and white flowers, heathers spread once planted and inhibit weeds as they go.

Blooming heather under the snow;

Pic: Shutterstock

Daphne

Usually found blooming in early February, Daphnes are a great way to brighten small gardens. They flourish in window boxes, large containers, mixed borders, areas of dry shade and even gravel gardens.

Winter daphne (Daphne odora) in japanese early spring

Pic: Shutterstock

Winter clematis

Otherwise known as Clematis cirrhosa, this is a perennial climber with cream coloured flowers and glossy green foliage. They flower in December and January, making them the perfect flower to include in garden landscapes for the winter season.

greenish white clematis flowers against deep blue sky

Pic: Shutterstock

Fancy a summerhouse or garden office? There’s a sale on at gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/

Check out My Weekly magazine, and the monthly My Weekly Special, for more gardening tips and inspiration!

You could win £25 if we feature your gardening tip in My Weekly – send yours (with a photo) to the address in the magazine.