Who says gardens are boring in the winter?

The long, warm, balmy days of summer – and the riot of colour that they bring – may feel a million miles away by the time January rolls around, but there’s absolutely no reason why your garden can’t still look fabulous and give you lots of pleasure even in the grey, winter months. Here are some ideas for plants that will look great in your garden all year round, and especially in the middle of winter.

Plants that flower in winter (yes, they actually do!)

Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus)

This evergreen shrub will give your garden year-round glossy greenery and gorgeous winter flowers. One of my favourites is ‘Eve Price’, with its clusters of pink buds that open into beautiful, fragrant, white flowers from December onwards. Viburnum tinus don’t tend to get too big – maximum height and spread is 3 metres – and they’re pretty easy to grow. You could plant one against a fence at the back of a mixed flower border or use a few to create an attractive hedge.

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Viburnum tinus [photograph]

Sweet box (Sarcococca)

Another evergreen winter flowerer, this plant simply cannot be beaten on fragrance. Its tiny, pure white flowers may be discrete, but they really pack a sweetly scented punch. Much smaller than Viburnum tinus – maximum height and width is 1.5 metres – Sarcococca is the perfect plant for a shady, sheltered border. One of my favourite varieties is ‘Purple Stem’ (Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem') which has the added bonus of deep purple-red stems.

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Sarcococca confusa [photograph]

Oregon grape (Mahonia)

Packed with year-round interest, Mahonias will provide your garden with stunning, arching sprays of bright-yellow, fragrant flowers throughout the winter. Their evergreen, holly-like leaves can be incredibly prickly, so they are probably best grown at the back of a border away from footfall (they tend to prefer a shady spot in any event). Award winning spine free varieties like ‘Soft Carress’ are also available if you prefer a pain-free alternative.

Meyer, A. (2021) Mahonia Winter Sun [photograph]

Witch hazel (Hamamelis) 

This deciduous shrub is another celebrated winter flowerer. Clusters of sweetly scented, yellow, orange, or even red flowers erupt from bare twigs in winter, followed by bright green leaves. Some varieties also have fabulous autumn leaf colour.  A lovely specimen plant for a sunny and sheltered winter border, its tiered shape looks fabulous next to the contrasting, colourful, vertical stems of dogwoods in winter.

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Hamamelis [photograph]

Camellia (Camellia japonica)

Another classic evergreen shrub, camellias are well known for their stunning red, pink, or white flowers in late winter and early spring. Some varieties can get quite big, so make sure to choose a sheltered spot in shade or part shade where they will have plenty of space to grow. Try to avoid an east-facing bed if possible – direct morning sunshine is said to damage the flower buds if there has been a frost overnight. They do also prefer an acidic soil, so either grow them in ericaceous soil or give them a supplementary feed of acidic plant food during the growing season (March to September). Another top tip is to keep them well watered in late summer when the flower buds for next year are forming.   

Whitehead, E.J. (2025) Camellia [photograph]

Hellebores (Helleborus)

A perennial, rather than a shrub, hellebores are the classic plant for winter garden interest. Often known as Christmas roses, or Lenten roses, because they flower from late winter into spring, they come in a mass of shapes, sizes, and flower colours – from green, white, and pink, all the way through to blackish purple. Mainly native to woodlands, they generally prefer a moist but well-drained soil in part shade. Cut back the old leaves in late winter or early in spring to give the flowers room to put on a good display and to control hellebore leaf spot disease.

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Helleborus [photograph]

Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)

This compact, evergreen shrub is a popular choice for borders and containers. Boasting tall, pretty clusters of red or pink buds through the coldest months, skimmia make a great winter patio plant. Best grown in part shade (full sun may cause the leaves to yellow), they do prefer an acidic soil. Grow them in ericaceous compost and give them a regular feed of acidic plant food during the growing season (March to September).

Whitehead, E.J. (2023) Skimmia japonica on a cold January day [photograph]

Heather (Erica spp.)

Another favourite for winter pots and containers, these dwarf evergreen shrubs produce masses of tiny, bell-shaped flowers in a variety of pretty colours from late winter onwards. Happiest in a sunny spot in acidic soil, you could put different varieties together to create a colourful display. Their nectar- rich flowers are also an important source of food for pollinators, including bees, especially in winter when other sources of nectar are scarce.

Ulleo (2016) Erica blossom [photograph]

Winter flowering pansies (Viola spp.)

Winter flowering pansies are another favourite for pots and containers. Robust and pretty, they can be relied upon to put on a cheery and colourful show on even the gloomiest of days with their purple, blue, yellow and white flowers. Regular deadheading will encourage a continuous display throughout the winter months. You could add a dwarf conifer to your container for height and a trailing variegated ivy for added visual appeal. But don’t forget to give your pots some water if we have a dry spell. 

Anelka (2014) Pansy Flowers [photograph]

Evergreen clematis (Clematis cirrhosa)

This species of early flowering, evergreen clematis is simply beautiful over the winter. One of my favourite varieties – and one that I grow in my own garden – is ‘Jingle Bells.’ It’s covered in creamy white, nodding flowers throughout the winter and attracts dozens of buzzing bees. Best grown in a warm, sheltered position (mine grows against a south-facing brick wall), Clematis cirrhosa prefers a well-drained soil. I also keep the base of the plant well shaded by positioning other plants in front of it. This variety of clematis does not require regular pruning, but I tend to snip away any unruly growth over the summer to keep it in check.

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Clematis cirrhosa ‘Jingle Bells’ [photograph]

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

This deciduous, shrubby climber has long, arching branches that burst with bright yellow, star-shaped flowers in winter and spring. Best grown in a sheltered, sunny or part sunny spot in well-drained soil, its pop of yellow flowers will brighten up even the dullest of grey winter days.   To maintain its shape, simply cut it back to strong young shoots each year immediately after flowering. Up to 20% of aging stems can also be removed.

Ysen (2020) Winter Jasmine [photograph]

Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.)

It wouldn’t be an article about winter garden plants without mentioning the stunning snowdrop. One of my favourite bulbs, these beauties are certainly not put off by the cold weather, popping up in gardens and parks all over the UK from as early as December. Their graceful stems and delicate, nodding, pure white flowers, spotted with just a hint of green, make a fabulous display in any garden. A sign of the spring that is to come, they just make me smile. Plant them as bulbs in the autumn or as fully grown plants ‘in the green’ in January and February. They like a partly shaded spot where the soil does not dry out over summer. As with most bulbs, allow the foliage to die back completely before removing it – this enables the leaves to create as much energy as possible to fuel next year’s blooms. 

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Snowdrops [photograph]

Dwarf iris (Iris reticulata)

Another bulb that works its winter magic, dwarf irises flower from late winter into spring and are available in a range of purples, blues and yellows. As the name suggests, they don’t grow to a huge height – sizes range from just 10 to 15cm tall – making them perfect for the front of a sunny border. They do prefer a well-drained soil, so incorporate some gravel into the soil at the bottom of the planting hole to improve drainage. They should also do well in a gravel garden or alpine bed.

MabelAmber (2018) Nettled Iris Flower [photograph]

Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

Putting on a cheerful show from late winter through to spring, I just love the bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers of these pretty bulbs. Dainty and sunny, with a ruff of rich green leaves, winter aconites attract early pollinators and are perfect for growing under deciduous shrubs and trees. They will tolerate a range of sun and soil conditions but will do best in a partly shaded spot with slightly alkaline soil that does not dry out over summer.

jhenning (2023) Winter Aconites [photograph]

It's not all about flowers…

Another great way to add colour and interest to your garden over winter is by including plants that have other noteworthy attributes like attractive bark, colourful stems, or fabulous leaves, fruit, or berries that last well on into the winter months.

Trees like paperbark maple (Acer griseum), Tibetan cherries (Prunus serrula), and silver birch (Betula spp.) are all known for their highly decorative bark, creating structure and interest in the garden long after their leaves have fallen.

Whitehead, E.J. (2025) Trio of silver birch [photograph]

Dogwoods (Cornus spp.)  are another classic of the winter garden. In autumn, their foliage often turns fiery shades of red and orange before falling to reveal their brightly coloured winter stems. Leave them unpruned for the first year to get established but then coppice them every March, cutting each stem back to within inches of the ground to encourage fresh, colourful growth for the following winter.

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' [photograph]

Plants with colourful berries or fruit, like firethorn (Pyracantha spp.), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.), and crab apples (Malus spp.) can also add a great splash of colour, especially in early winter. The fruit and berries – in bright shades of yellow, orange, purple, and red – can persist well into winter. They’re also a great source of food for winter wildlife, like birds. 

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Winter firethorn berries [photograph]

Whitehead, E.J. (2026) Malus × robusta 'Red Sentinel' [photograph]

When planning your garden for winter, also think about plants that have foliage that lasts through the winter. Having a good evergreen structure in your garden is crucial. Likewise, some species of evergreen or semi-evergreen plants like alum root (Heuchera spp.), heavenly bamboo (Nandina spp.), and hebe (Veronica spp.) have colourful leaves. A shrubby hebe like Veronica ‘Purple Shamrock’, with its stripy purple leaves, or the red foliage of an alum root like Heuchera 'Coralberry' can be used to brighten a dull corner of your garden on even the gloomiest of days. 

ZenAga (2022) Red Leaves [photograph]

One final thought…

Why not add interest to your garden over winter by doing less? Traditional garden practices often meant that gardens were tidied (or ‘put to bed’) in late autumn – herbaceous foliage and seed heads were cut back, and borders and leaves were cleared. Nowadays, there’s a growing movement to do less of this, and there are a number of reasons why. Wildlife might seem to disappear over winter, but your winter garden is actually still full of life; many insects shelter or hibernate in dead stems or piles of leaves, seedheads are a great source of food for birds, and fallen leaves will protect organisms in your soil from the worst of the cold and wet. As for my own garden, I do tend to do a bit of tidying (things like removing old foliage on plants like hostas that will just go gunky), but I do like to leave some plants that have gone way past what we would usually consider to be their best. Aside from offering food and shelter to wildlife, I just think that they look nice; nothing is more beautiful than the low winter sun lighting up the frost crystals on the foliage of structural perennials and grasses on a cold winter morning. And besides, who wants to look at a load of bare borders and sticks for three months of the year?

NickyPe (2020) Winter Grass [photograph]

Whitehead, E.J. (2023) Winter frost on a hydrangea flowerhead [photograph]

References

• jhenning (2023) ‘Winter Aconites’ [photograph] in pixabay.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/flowers-winter-aconites-aconites-7808249/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]

• MabelAmber (2018) ‘Nettled Iris Flower’ [photograph] in pixabay.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/nettled-iris-flower-plant-3221133/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]

• Meyer, A. (2021) ‘Mahonia Winter Sun’ [photograph] in pixababy.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/winter-mahonia-winter-sun-blossom-5970707/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]

• NickyPe (2020) ‘Winter Grass’ [photograph] in pixabay.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/winter-grass-flower-frost-cold-4747382/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]

• Ulleo (2016) ‘Erica blossom’ [photograph] in pixabay.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/erika-blossom-bloom-heather-nature-1871921/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Clematis cirrhosa ‘Jingle Bells’’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2025) ‘Camellia’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Hamamelis’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Helleborus’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Malus × robusta 'Red Sentinel'’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Sarcococca confusa’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2023) ‘Skimmia japonica on a cold January day’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Snowdrops’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2025) ‘Trio of silver birch’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Viburnum tinus’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2026) ‘Winter firethorn berries’ [photograph]

• Whitehead, E.J. (2023) ‘Winter frost on a hydrangea flowerhead’ [photograph]

• Ysen (2020) ‘Winter Jasmine’ [photograph] in pixabay.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/winter-jasmine-spring-in-full-bloom-4921873/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]

• ZenAga (2022) ‘Red Leaves’ [photograph] in pixabay.com. Available at https://pixabay.com/photos/foliage-red-leaves-7498582/ [Accessed 20 January 2026]