Flowering Plants To Brighten The Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs And Perennials With Blooms To Sparkle In Short Days

Winter, often viewed as a dormant period for gardens, can actually be a time of great beauty and charm. Even on grey days when the sun is hidden, the right combination of winter flowering plants can lift spirits and add warmth to the landscape. For example, the delicate twigs of skeletal trees coated in hoar frost create an invigorating scene that’s far from dreary. Add some winter-blooming bulbs or perennials, and the garden takes on a whole new level of allure.

While many might not think to look to their garden for winter cheer, keen gardeners know that there are plenty of ways to add some sparkle and color to the landscape during this time. Whether it’s through the use of flowering shrubs, wall shrubs, or even a winter-blooming tree, there are countless opportunities to create a beautiful and inviting winter garden.

Wall Shrubs Which Sparkle in Winter

#1. Jasminum nudiflorum (winter flowering jasmine)

Robert Fortune introduced Jasminum nudiflorum, also known as winter flowering jasmine, in 1844. This plant has earned its widespread cultivation due to its remarkable ability to produce an abundance of rich yellow flowers on bare branches from November until the end of February, providing a heartwarming display that is not easily forgotten.

Its enduring popularity can be attributed to the sheer magnitude of these vibrant blooms, which seem to burst forth with renewed vitality during the typically bleak winter months.

#2. Chimonanthus praecox (winter sweet)

When it comes to planting Chimonanthus praecox (winter sweet), the perfect spot is a warm wall that receives direct sunlight from the south or south-west. This shrub is truly exceptional, as it slowly grows up to 2.5 meters tall and 3 meters wide. One of its most striking features is its fragrant, yellow flowers with a purple center, which bloom on bare winter stems. The overall effect is a stunning display of color and scent that’s sure to brighten up any winter day.

#3. Garrya elliptica (silk tassel bush)

Garrya elliptica, also known as silk tassel bush, is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub that thrives when grown against a wall. Its dark olive leaves provide year-round interest, but the plant’s crowning glory is its winter display of long, drooping clusters of soft grey-green catkins. The longest of these, reaching up to 30-40cm in length, are typically found on the male cultivar ‘James Roof’.

While the Garrya may seem dull during the summer months, its beauty can be elevated by pairing it with a summer-flowering clematis like ‘Miss Bateman’, which produces large, single white flowers with striking red anthers.

Flowering Shrubs and Bulbs Which Bloom in Winter

To create a winter wonderland, combine aconites and snowdrops as a ground covering carpet beneath witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’). This variety boasts clusters of large, sulphur-yellow blooms that are both frost-resistant and spider-shaped. At the same time, Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ (winter honeysuckle) unfurls small, sweetly scented white flowers on its vigorous, sprawling stems.

If you prefer fragrant winter blooms that don’t require bending to admire them, look no further than Mahonia x media ‘Buckland’. Its long cylindrical spikes of tiny, scented yellow flowers evoke the fragrance of lily of the valley. For year-round interest, turn to Erica carnea (winter flowering heathers) and its many cultivars, including ‘Springwood White’, ‘Springwood Pink’, ‘Myertoun Ruby’, and ‘Winter Beauty’.

These varieties produce tiny, scented spikes of bell-shaped flowers that beguile even in the harshest weather, right through to spring.

Perennials Which Bring Colour to the Winter Garden

As the dark days of December and January roll around, it’s a relief that certain flowers can bring a touch of brightness to our lives. One such bloomer is the Helleborus niger, also known as the Christmas rose, which produces delicate white and gold petals during this time of year. But if you’re looking for more variety in your winter blooms, you might be interested in exploring the world of Helleborus x hybridus cultivars.

These hybrids can produce a stunning array of saucer-shaped flowers in colors ranging from pure white to deep purple, vibrant yellow, and even subtle shades of green and pink. And the best part? They’ll keep blooming from mid-winter all the way through to mid-spring.

Add Some Height With a Winter Flowering Tree

Prunus x subhirtella, also known as Higan cherry, is a deciduous tree characterized by its spreading habit and stunning floral displays. The bowl-shaped blooms, measuring around 2cm in diameter, are borne in clusters from autumn to spring and boast a delicate white or pink hue. Among the numerous cultivars of this species, ‘Autumnalis’ stands out for its particularly striking semi-double flowers featuring subtle pink-tinged white petals.

Invest in Some Winter Flowering Plants to Lift the Gloom

While winter may seem bleak, a dash of planning and a visit to the garden center can bring instant gratification. By selecting cheerful winter-flowering plants, you can inject a much-needed dose of positivity into your daily routine, no matter how cold it gets outside.