14 Winter Flowering Plants for UK Gardens

It is easy to think that nothing flowers in the garden between November and March. In fact, the British winter garden has plenty of beautiful, hardy plants that bloom in the cold, bring colour to grey days and feed the first bees of the year.

Here are 14 winter flowering plants for UK gardens. All of them cope with frost and wet weather, and many have a lovely scent. Plant a few near the house or a path so you can enjoy them from the window and on short winter walks round the garden.

1. Hellebores

Hellebores flower from midwinter and keep going into spring. Their nodding pink, white and green blooms are happy in shade and need almost no care. Cut off the old leaves in winter so the flowers show.

2. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are the classic sign that winter is easing. Plant them in the green, ideally in groups under trees or in lawn edges, and they will spread into drifts over the years.

3. Hardy Cyclamen Coum

Hardy cyclamen forms a carpet of small pink flowers beneath trees and shrubs in late winter. The silver-patterned leaves look lovely too, and the plants return every year.

4. Winter Aconites

Winter aconites open bright yellow cups in the dullest weeks. Plant them in shade under deciduous trees and let them naturalise.

5. Early Crocuses

Early crocuses flower in late winter and are loved by early bees. Naturalise them in short grass or gravel for a cheerful splash of purple and yellow.

6. Winter Flowering Heather

Winter heathers (Erica) flower from December to April and thrive in sun and free-draining soil. They are perfect for gravel gardens and pots.

7. Viburnum Tinus

Viburnum tinus is an evergreen shrub with clusters of pink buds opening to white flowers through winter. It is tough, easy and useful as a hedge or screen.

8. Camellia Sasanqua

Autumn and winter flowering camellias bring glamorous pink blooms to a sheltered, shady corner. Plant in acidic soil or a large pot of ericaceous compost.

9. Daphne Bholua

Daphne bholua has some of the best winter scent in the garden. Plant it near a door or path so you can smell the pink flowers every time you walk past.

10. Garrya Elliptica

Garrya has long silvery-green catkins that hang from an evergreen shrub in winter. It looks superb against a wall and is very hardy.

11. Clematis Cirrhosa

Winter-flowering Clematis cirrhosa has creamy, speckled bell flowers and glossy evergreen leaves. Give it a sunny, sheltered wall or fence.

12. Skimmia Japonica

Skimmia produces red flower buds that last all winter and glossy evergreen leaves. It is ideal for pots and shady corners.

13. Winter Pansies and Violas

Winter pansies and violas flower whenever the weather is mild. A terracotta pot by the front door lifts the mood on the greyest days.

14. Primroses

Primroses start flowering in late winter in cheerful colours. A rustic wooden planter by the door is a lovely way to welcome the spring.

Bring Colour to the Winter Garden

A few of these plants are all you need to enjoy colour and scent between November and March. Start with hellebores, snowdrops and a scented shrub near the door.

Which winter flowering plant would you plant first? For more garden inspiration for UK homes, keep an eye on TheGardenFixHome.com.

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