Cyclamen Coum
Winter Violas and Pansies
Helleborus orientalis hybrids Washfield Doubles
Stuck for ideas for adding colourful flowers to your garden this winter? Well here is a selection of my personal favourite eye poppers for shorter, darker, colder days.
Winter Flowering Favourites
Winter Pansies & Violas
The flowering plant that always springs to mind is the trusty Pansy. Pansies and Violas will happily provide plenty of colour throughout Autumn, Winter and Spring. Of course, you will need to dead-head on a regular basis to get the most of out these perennials. Oh yes…I did say perennials! If your plants become untidy, cut them back to an inch or two and they will sprout back with plenty of vigour.
Cyclamen
One of my personal favourites. The hardy ‘Cyclamen Coum‘ is a flower straight out of a fairytale. With attractive, Mandelbrot-like leaves and pink flame shaped flowers, they will continue to flower if dead-headed for many months throughout Autumn and Winter. Also, as the years pass, the corm beneath your Cyclamen will increase in size and yield even more flowers year after year. They also readily self-seed and will grow even in dry, dark spots in your garden.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis Hyemalis)
Add a slash of gold to your Garden this Winter, with this great clump forming tuberous, flowering perennial plant – the Winter Aconite. Will flower from late Winter through to Early Spring. Great in amongst deciduous trees.
Helleborus
Lovely dark green, glossy and tropical looking leaves, with green, pink, purple, red or white long lasting flowers. The Helleborus makes a great Winter perennial.
Snowdrops (Galanthus Nivalis)
A common favourite. I’m sure the Snowdrop needs no introduction. A classic Winter bulb providing an unseasonal display in the coldest of times.
Winter Heather (Erica Carnea)
Heather will stay in flower throughout the chilly months of Winter and will provide colour for many, many years. Erica Carnea doesn’t really need an acid soil to flourish.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria Saccharata)
Lungwort will provide a run of pink or white, turning to blue flowers above (depending of the variety), spotty green tongue-shaped leaves. Loves shade. Flowers throughout Autumn.
Conclusion
Winter doesn’t have to be a dormant season. If you love gardening and flowering plants, then get out into the garden this weekend and start planning your designs. There is no excuse of hanging up your wellies this Winter!