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Winter flowers

Kay2theTeeKay2theTee Posts: 3
in Plants

Hello all :)

I'm a bit new to gardening but usually have lovely flowerbeds over Spring and Summer. During the Winter, however, it's just an empty patch of dirt.

While doing research I did see some bulbs that flower during the colder months but since these have to be planted months in advance I think I've missed the bulb deadline.

Which plants and flowers can I plant now to flower this year? Or any sort of shrub that'll brighten the flowerbed. 

Thanks in advance,

Katie

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 26,486

    Pansies will flower throughout the winter . Primula flower early too.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,258

    Plenty of time to order bulbs for delivery and planting September for early daffs up to November for tulips.

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    There are a few shrubs that will flower in the winter - sarcoccoca, mahonia, viburnum bodantense etc. Perhaps add a few evergreen shrubs to your borders to give a bit of structure. Bulbs planted September onwards will give you colour from January.

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    Now would be a good time to take stock of your perennials and label them or mark where they are to avoid digging any up when planting bulbs/shrubs in the autumn.  

    Taking a photo of the flowerbed would also help you remember where everything is, and could help you with planning your colour theme. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,959

    As hogweed says, some shrubs are what you need to have winter interest, and they can provide some colour and interest all year round if you choose a few evergreens like the ones mentioned. If you can give us an idea of the size of your beds and the aspect etc, it'll really help with suggestions. 

    Having said that, there are loads which will grow quite happily in most sites. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700

    Evergreen shrubs creates an instant outline, so think about your seedheads from your summer plants. Keep large allium heads and poppy seedheads on to have a nice structure over the winter months. Frost and low light will make them stand out. A shrub like Callicarpa Bodinieri may look mundane in the summer time, but it is in the winter time, they have their moment. Lovely glossy berries on a nice structural frame of stems stands out on any border that is bare.

    For the late flowering borders, apart from the usual Echinaceas, use plants like Hesperantha Coccinea to have contrast on strappy leaves delicate flowers. Plant bulbs like Nerine Bowdenii. Position more tender Nerine bulbs in pots in certain areas in your border. That extends the colour palette whilst allowing you to move the pots into a greenhouse when it gets colder. There are now many types of Hellebores that can start from deepest of winters right up to late spring. 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Don't forget the wonderful range of leaf colours of heuchera.  They can get a bit tatty over winter but do provide colour when not much else will.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Kay2theTeeKay2theTee Posts: 3

    Thank you for all the replies :) 

    I like the idea of evergreen shrubs. The flower bed is quite large, but it has a medium sized pond in the middle of it. 

    It's actually my moms flowerbed and she tends to just chuck out a packet of seeds in the Spring, it looked like a mini meadow.

    As you can see, it's looking a little sad and seems to be about to be taken over by some ornamental squash vines...

    image

    Last edited: 07 August 2017 12:01:19

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