Most people think of gardening as just a summer activity that ends when the cold weather arrives in autumn. However, creating a winter garden is a fantastic way to bring life to a dull border or an uninspiring space by your front door. We’re often asked how to grow plants in winter, and the truth is, it’s easy if you select the right plants! Many evergreens actually look their best in winter, as they stand out more when other flowering plants and shrubs go dormant.
There are also some beautiful winter-flowering plants that can add a splash of color to your garden during the darker months. Our Garden on a Roll Evergreen Sunny Border, or even our Evergreen Shady Border, offers a great selection of hardy, resilient evergreens that can thrive in the coldest weather. Winter is a perfect time to plant evergreens and winter-flowering shrubs, as you can easily see where they will be most appreciated. Keep in mind that during the winter, you’ll often be viewing your garden from inside the house, so place the plants where they can be enjoyed from a window or near a path you frequently walk.
Follow our guide on how to grow plants in winter and take the first step toward creating your ideal garden during the colder months.
Choose Your Favorite Winter Plants and Shrubs
Many evergreen plants thrive in winter, with some even flowering throughout the season. Our top 10 plants to grow in winter include:
- Aucuba
- Carex grasses
- Cornus (dogwood)
- Ferns
- Helleborus
- Mahonia
- Nandina
- Osmanthus
- Phormium
- Skimmia
Get Creative with Containers
Arrange your winter plants and shrubs in ornamental pots or troughs, if your budget allows. Growing your winter plants in containers makes it easy to move them to a less prominent spot as the seasons change, allowing summer plants to take center stage. Later, you can bring them back to shine once again in autumn.
Plan Your Winter Garden Layout
Start by placing taller plants at the back and grading forward, using complementary leaf or stem colors and forms that look good together. Layering your plants is a great way to hide any plastic pots, using lower or trailing plants at the front of your winter garden arrangement.
Add a Pop of Color with Winter-Flowering Plants
To brighten up your evergreens, plant bedding plants like winter pansies or primroses, which bloom during mild spells through to spring.
Bulbs are also a wonderful addition to winter gardens. You may forget about them initially, but planting them now will reward you with a pleasant surprise in the spring!
Maintain a Wildlife-Friendly Winter Garden
Winter-flowering plants like Mahonia are excellent for attracting bees searching for essential nectar during the cold months. Don’t forget to provide shelter and bird feeders to turn your garden into a winter sanctuary for wildlife. It’s incredible to see insects, bees, and even the occasional butterfly drawn to the scented yellow flowers on mild winter days. Other great winter plants for wildlife include:
- Wild ivy: flowers and berries
- Viburnum Bodnantense: scented flowers
- Daphne (late winter/early spring): scented flowers
- Elaeagnus: scented flowers (autumn/winter)
- Helleborus: showy flowers (winter to spring)
- Sarcococca: scented flowers (winter to spring)
- Crab apple: small tree with fruits birds love
- Rowan: medium-sized tree with berries, a favorite for birds like waxwings
- Cotoneaster: tough evergreen shrub with lots of berries that birds enjoy
- Pyracantha: a prickly evergreen ideal for training along fences or walls, with red, orange, or yellow berries loved by birds.
Avoid Overwatering
Water thoroughly once, and then wait until you see signs of dryness before watering again. The time between waterings will vary depending on the plant, but generally, the initial watering should last for several weeks. Be careful not to leave saucers under your containers during winter, as this can lead to waterlogging.
Enjoy the Rewards of Your Winter Garden!
Whether you’re looking to spruce up your garden, create a striking display outside your front door, or make the most of a small space like a patio or balcony, our winter gardening guide has everything you need to succeed.
