The Winter Wonderland: Here at Arboretum our Horticulturalist-Recommends Plants for Colour in Your Garden Until February
Winter gardens often get overlooked, but they hold a unique charm. With expert advice from the horticulturalists at the arboretum, we’ve identified three exceptional plants to brighten up your garden or containers during the colder months. Incorporating these will not only ensure colour and interest but also create a space that thrives when everything else rests.
Here are the top horticulturalist-recommended winter gems: hellebores, sarcococca, and skimmia.
Helleborus (Winter Rose)
Hellebores are an arboretum favourite for their resilience and stunning blooms during the bleakest months. Their graceful, nodding flowers bring elegance to gardens and containers alike.
Why We Recommend Helleborus:
- Flowering Season: November to early spring.
- Colours: From soft whites and pastel pinks to deep burgundies and greens.
- Care Tips:
- Thrive in partial or full shade.
- Prefer rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
- Remove old leaves in early winter to showcase fresh blooms.
- Container-Friendly: Choose tall pots to complement their cascading flowers, and pair with evergreen ferns or heucheras for contrast.
Design Tip:
Create a woodland border by grouping hellebores with snowdrops and early crocuses. This mimics nature’s understated beauty and fills shady corners with charm.
Sarcococca Confusa (Sweet Box)
Rachel’s Favourite Sarcococca, celebrated for its rich fragrance, is a horticulturalist’s go-to plant for understated winter elegance. With its glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers, this compact shrub works well in gardens and containers.
Why Rachel Recommends Sarcococca:
- Flowering Season: December to February.
- Fragrance: A sweet and heady perfume that lifts winter’s chill.
- Care Tips:
- Thrives in shade or dappled light.
- Adaptable to most soils, provided they drain well.
- Requires minimal maintenance—perfect for busy gardeners.
- Container-Friendly: Its slow-growing nature and compact size make it ideal for pots, adding a sensory experience to doorways and patios.
Design Tip:
Use Sarcococca as a centrepiece in a container, surrounded by ivy and variegated winter heathers for a bold yet harmonious look.
Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
The skimmia is a horticultural favourite for its year-round appeal. Its clusters of vibrant berries and buds are a cheerful sight in the heart of winter, while its glossy evergreen foliage provides structure and texture.
Why we at Arboretum Recommend Skimmia:
- Flowering Season: Buds form in autumn and persist through winter, blooming in early spring.
- Colours: Deep red buds, bright berries, and creamy white flowers depending on variety (male or female)
- Care Tips:
- Thrives in partial shade with acidic, well-draining soil.
- Ideal for pots using ericaceous compost.
- Requires regular watering in pots but dislikes waterlogged roots.
- Container-Friendly: Compact varieties like Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ are perfect for winter displays.
Design Tip:
Combine skimmia with dwarf conifers and cyclamen in a decorative pot for an eye-catching winter arrangement.
The Arboretum’s Container Gardening Secrets
If you’re working with smaller spaces or want to brighten a balcony or doorstep, container gardening is an excellent way to enjoy these plants.
- Layer Your Display: Taller plants like hellebores can act as a focal point, while shorter plants like ivy, cyclamen, or winter heathers add depth.
- Choose Your Pots Wisely: Neutral or metallic pots enhance the natural hues of winter plants.
- Keep Soil Healthy: Use high-quality compost and add a top layer of mulch or moss for insulation and aesthetics.
Winter Winners to Complement the Top Three
Looking for more inspiration? Horticulturalists also recommend:
- Cornus (also known as Dogwood): For vibrant red or orange stems that stand out in frosty conditions.
- Evergreen Grasses: Such as Carex for texture and movement.
- Winter Heathers: Ideal for low-maintenance, colourful ground cover.
Conclusion
With expert recommendations from arboretum horticulturalists, hellebores, sarcococca, and skimmia are the ultimate winter champions. Their vibrant colours, textures, and fragrances will bring life and elegance to your garden or pots through to February. Take advantage of the season and make your outdoor space a winter haven—because even in the coldest months, beauty abounds.
