When it comes to the garden, people do not generally associate winter with colour and life. The season is more often viewed as a dry, slightly greyscale one. This does not have to be the way though, because you can grow plants in winter just like any other season. This blog will look at a few plants that are ideal for winter growing. It will cover everything from flowers to shrubs and vegetables.
Bedding plants
Bedding plants are fast growing ones that produce particularly colourful and vibrant blooms. They will be perfect for bringing your garden to life during the winter. Why not try these ones:
Pansies and violas
Pansies are a popular winter choice, because they can grow just as well in semi-shade as in full sunlight. They also bloom in a range of colours, including purples, blues and yellows – great for gazing at from your rattan garden furniture.
Violas are equally well loved and hardy enough to cope with the British winter. The viola sorbet range that we stock will give you a pleasing blend of colours and will grow equally well in beds or pots.
Primroses and polyanthus
Primroses are perfectly suited to winter, and seeds like the primrose husk mix will begin to bloom around the mid-point of the season. When they do, you will see an explosion of colour. Plant them in garden beds or pots and water lightly until their roots get established to avoid rot.
Polyanthus blooms in rich red and yellow, which will conjure images of summer sunshine. This plant looks a bit like the primrose, but the blooms cluster together more. The Polyanthus Firecracker will last until late spring, making it an excellent choice.
Cyclamen
This plant should be bedded in an area with partial shade and that will shield it from the worst of the weather. Add a bit of grit to the soil, to help it drain, and some mulch for moisture.
Shrubs
Winter heath (erica carnea)
This is an evergreen shrub that will produce bright foliage. It is a hardy plant that will bloom towards the end of winter, adding a splash of colour to the garden.
Skimmia
The majority of skimmia bushes are well suited to winter, as they can cope with freezing temperatures. Once your skimmia bush has grown, it will need no protection from the elements, but until then you should use straw, pine branches or leaves as coverage.
Vegetables
Kale
This is a very hardy vegetable that can survive the winter elements. If you plant it ahead of time, you will be able to enjoy fresh kale all the way through the season. Plus, it has the advantage of being decorative.
Spinach
Spinach will grow well in winter, as long as you select a winter-specific variety. Some examples include Winter Bloomsdale and Giant Winter. Give it some protection from the elements too by using a cold frame.
Garlic
The optimal time for planting garlic is between mid-autumn and the start of winter. This is because the bulbs require a couple of cold months to grow well. Make sure the soil drains though, as excessively wet soil can cause garlic bulbs to develop diseases.
Leeks
Leeks are vegetables that grow slowly but reliably in winter. The only thing that can put them at risk is freezing temperatures and frost, so some protection may be needed in those conditions. They will often recover well without any help though.
Other options
Some other options worth considering are ivy, ornamental sedges and heucheras. Hedera helix or hedera colchica are two varieties of ivy that will grow well in winter. For sedges, Carex morrowii, Carex oshimensis or Carex flacca will be ideal picks. Heucheras should be planted in sheltered areas, with Black Pearl and Palace Purple being hardy varieties.
Tips for planting in winter
Choose hardy varieties
You should only ever plant hardy varieties, because they need to be able to withstand the winter weather.
Protect from harsh weather
Most plants will need some protection during the winter, with raised beds, window boxes or pots all being good options.
Ensure good drainage
Make sure the plants are put in soil that drains well, because waterlogged soil can cause rotting and other problems.
Fertilise sparingly
Fertilise the soil carefully using leaf mould or rotted compost.
If you follow the above tips, there’s no reason you can’t have a thriving garden in winter.
