{"id":4317,"date":"2021-11-15T11:47:24","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T10:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=24385"},"modified":"2021-11-15T12:49:13","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T11:49:13","slug":"winter-flowering-plants-the-best-winter-flowers-to-grow","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/winter-flowering-plants-the-best-winter-flowers-to-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter flowering plants: the best winter flowers to grow"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Daniel Griffiths\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 15 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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If you\u2019re of the belief that winter marks the end of beauty in your garden then prepare to be delighted.<\/p>\n

Winter<\/a> is associated with bare trees and dying-back foliage, but it absolutely doesn\u2019t need to be that way. There are plants and flowers that will bring you joy in the form of both colour and structure all year around and winter flowering plants are a key way of getting your colour fix in deepest winter.<\/p>\n

Below is a selection of winter flowering plants for a lovely, eye-catching display that will look excellent in contrast to many of the greens and browns that tend to dominate the rest of the garden at this time of the year.<\/p>\n

Plant experts Keith Wiley, Tom Brown, John Hoyland, Andy McIndoe and Fleur van Zonnerfeld have all chosen the winter flowers they particularly love and which winter flowering plants you should be making space for over the season. Many of these are perennial<\/a> winter flowering plants, so there\u2019s very little to do here once you\u2019ve planted your display, which should bring the same enjoyment year on year.<\/p>\n

When to plant winter flowering plants<\/h2>\n
Always check the hardiness zone you\u2019re in, to make sure you\u2019re planting the right winter flowering plant for your space. Perennials and shrubs should be planted before the first frost comes, but if you\u2019re looking to plant hardy annuals<\/a> you can plant these for a significant stretch of the winter.<\/p>\n

The best winter flowering plants<\/h2>\n
1<\/span>
Camellia sasanqua<\/em> \u2018Crimson King\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div> $\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nA winter flowering species of camellia<\/a> that always brings me a tremendous amount of joy. Flowering well before the thrust of camellia blooms appear, its single, crimson-red flowers have a simplicity that also lends itself to many different planting styles and schemes.\u00a0 It\u2019s a large shrub that benefits from a sheltered position, and if your garden is in an exposed and colder climate, try growing this plant in a container, but if you do make sure that it doesn\u2019t dry out during the summer for a strong flowering performance. AGM. Chosen by Tom Brown<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 2.5-4m.Origin<\/strong> Garden origin (species from Japan).Conditions<\/strong> Moisture-retentive, acidic, fertile and free-draining soil; partial shade.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H4, USDA 8a-9b.Season of interest<\/strong> Autumn and winter.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
2<\/span>
Iris unguicularis<\/em> \u2018Mary Barnard\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div> $\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
I\u2019m always amazed at how tolerant of incredibly poor and sun-baked positions this species of iris can be. Often, they hug walls and enjoy a roasting during the summer and then reward us in winter with large, violet flowers that have contrasting yellow signals. Flowering in winter isn\u2019t without its challenges, but by planting against a sunny wall, you reduce the impact of the hard frosts, which can damage the freshly emerged flowers. If flowers are hit by the frost, many more soon appear. AGM. Chosen by Tom Brown<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 50cm.Origin<\/strong> Garden origin (species from eastern Mediterranean and North Africa).Conditions<\/strong> Free-draining soil; a sheltered position in full sun.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H5.Season of interest<\/strong> December \u2013 February.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
3<\/span> Helleborus x ballardiae<\/em> HGC Snow Dance (= \u2018Coseh 800\u2019)<\/h3>\n<\/div>
$\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Named after the hellebore breeder Helen Ballard, this is a very exciting group of hellebores<\/a> noted for their early, large and more upturned, showy flowers. They\u2019re a cross between Helleborus niger<\/em> and Helleborus<\/em>\u00a0lividus<\/em>, both of which are worth looking at as winter flowering plants in their own right. Helleborus<\/em>\u00a0lividus<\/em>, which can flower from December until April, is more of a challenge to grow but has exquisite, marbled foliage that makes an attractive contribution to this more robust group of hybrids. Chosen by Tom Brown<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 50cm.Origin<\/strong> Garden origin.Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained, fertile soil; partial shade.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H7, USDA 4a-9b.Season of interest<\/strong> Flowering from December until spring.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
4<\/span>
Iris unguicularis<\/em> \u2018Peloponnese Snow\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div> $\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Hardy or near hardy, winter flowering iris are not thick on the ground, and this one is the standout selection of a species that has filled this gap. The more-often seen cultivars are various shades of lilac-blue, which may or may not have much scent and can be reluctant to produce many flowers. By contrast the beautifully marked white flowers of \u2018Peloponnese Snow\u2019 are not only strongly scented but are also produced prolifically for several months. Worth watching out for slugs eating the soft flower stems and flowers. Chosen by Keith Wiley<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 30-45cm.Origin<\/strong> Greece.Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained soil; sun in preferably a sheltered spot.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H5, USDA 7a-9b.Season of interest<\/strong> Evergreen clump flowering winter through spring.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
5<\/span> Corydalis henrikii<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>
$\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Named after Henrik Zetterlund, of Gothenburg Botanical Garden, who has done so much to bring this genus to the attention of gardeners. This winter flowering plant species was found growing on north-facing screes and well-drained limey soils and only named in 1990. Like so many of the genus this one merits close inspection. It will not shout out its presence from its lowly stature, but grow it with the smaller snowdrops<\/a>, early species crocus and Iris reticulata<\/em> and a jewel-like tapestry will emerge. A spring ephemeral for a raised bed or rockery retreating below ground soon after flowering. Chosen by Keith Wiley<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 15-20cm in flower.Origin<\/strong> Turkey.Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained soil; sun or shade.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b.Season of interest<\/strong> Late winter to early spring.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
6<\/span> Daphne<\/em> \u2018Spring Beauty\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
$\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nPurely in terms of scent the best species of late winter flowering daphnes are Daphne bholua<\/em> and Daphne odora<\/em>. With less fragrance, but greater flower power, this cultivar (bred by Robin White) is a hybrid between Daphne bholua<\/em> and the supposedly tender Daphne<\/em> sureil<\/em>, which ensures it is winter flowering and produces masses of pink flowers. Best planted where the morning sun will not reach it while the plant is still frozen after a cold night. Has proved hardy here at Wildside<\/a>, which is similar to much of southern England. Chosen by Keith Wiley<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 2m.Origin<\/strong> Garden origin (both parents are Himalayan).Conditions<\/strong> Fertile, well-drained soil; sun or part shade.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H4, USDA 7a-8b.Season of interest<\/strong> Evergreen shrub flowering late winter to early spring.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
7<\/span>
Crocus<\/em> Thirkeanus<\/h3>\n<\/div>
$\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Formerly known as Crocus herbertii<\/em>, this is wonderful growing alongside Corydalis henrikii<\/em>\u00a0 and one of my highlights among the winter flowering plants. The most intense orange flowers spring from the smallest crocus bulbs I have ever seen. It is a stoloniferous species spreading by underground stems to produce an ever increasing colony of small, grassy leaves when settled, which in my experience can take several years to happen. Seeing these spears of orange emerge so early in the year is a thrill of which I will never tire. Does need small companions, I grow it with low-growing, early grape hyacinths and some of the smaller snowdrops. Chosen by Keith Wiley<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n

Height<\/strong> 10cm.Origin<\/strong> Turkey.Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained soil; sun.Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H7, USDA 3a-8b.Season of interest<\/strong> Late winter.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/p>
8<\/span> Erythronium caucasicum<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>
$\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This species always wins the race to be the first erythronium in flower, but as you might expect from a plant that produces flowers so early, it is easily spoilt by bad weather. Strong winds are this winter flowering plant\u2019s main enemy so it is best positioned in a sheltered, semi-shady spot. Given a spell of good weather this species is a joy \u2013 a little like a refined Erythronium dens-canis<\/em> but with superb mottled leaves and yellow, rather than blue, anthers. Very slow to increase with me, seed offering the best option, so grow under cover or protect the plants with a cloche if you want seed. Chosen by Keith Wiley<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>
9<\/span>
Daphne bholua<\/em>\u00a0\u2018Jacqueline Postill\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>
$\""Winter\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>