Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Winter planters

DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
in Plants
I have two planters similar to the one pictured, any suggestions on what I could plant to give some interest all through the winter? GW seems to focus on month by month tubs but I’d like some with interest for a little longer, whether that be flowers or leaf colour and structure.

I was thinking maybe some cyclamen, winter pansies and/or primroses as fillers and maybe something like an ivy to hang but could do with some suggestions for the more wow/structural plants. 

If it helps these are the rough sizes -  Top Basket 30cm (12"), Bottom Basket 40cm (16"), Total Height of Planter 63.5cm (25").
Thanks
Tomorrow is another day

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I don't think there's room for very much in there. Maybe some very small young shrubs with berries (Gaultheria / Pernettya) or colourful buds (Skimmia) that you would replant in the ground or larger containers after the first winter. Or you could put in some small bulbs to pop up through the other planting in spring. Some of the dwarf narcissus are early (eg February Gold and Tete-a-Tete), crocus, snowdrops. All of those can go into the garden when you want to replant the baskets for next summer.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree with @JennyJ. They don't have enough volume for very much.
    You could try Heucheras. They can cope as long as they don't dry out. A variegated Carex would be fine too. Evergold and Everest are both good, and C. elata Aurea is very striking. 
    This is a good supplier [of all sorts of plants] and will give you an idea of the varieties available
    https://www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk/plants/plant-type/grasses/carex-plants/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    If you can get to a garden centre, they'll probably have lots of stuff for winter bedding in stock at the moment, as well as bulbs, so you could see what takes your fancy.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
    Thanks for your comments Jennyj and fairygirl.  I hadn’t thought of bulbs or grasses so both might help.  A trip to the garden centre I think is needed.
    Tomorrow is another day
  • Robert WestRobert West Posts: 241
    Last winter I emptied my window boxes thinking I'd wait til spring before planting them up again. Then homebase were selling off their last few packs of mixed cyclamens, winter violas and Dianthus for £1 so thought I'd give them a go.

    Looked great right through til may when I was actually a bit sad to replace them with the petunias I normally plant. I saw the other day homebase had the same packs. Full price at the mo but I'll keep popping back waiting for them to be reduced!
  • DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
    Thanks Robert, I’ll take a look.
    Tomorrow is another day
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I got some white cyclamen, white winter pansies, ivy and carex evergold for mine last weekend. 

    They look lovely. 

    I’ll take out the carex in spring and pop it in the ground and replace the cyclamen and pansies with something else. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just be aware that not all cyclamen are hardy, and aren't always named - even in GCs in these trays, so surviving winter will depend on where you live.
    I had a similar pot/wall trough many years ago , @TheGreenMan, but without the pansies. I probably had white crocus in them  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.