Lonicera fragrantissima, the Winter Honeysuckle is a shrub with small very fragrant white honeysuckle flowers, flowering at this time of year. In the NW of England it grows to about 5ft high [might be bigger further south so check that out] and is completely hardy. The ones I have seen were in partial shade, and growing in both clay and sandy soils both acidic. I have never heard of Lonicera being intolerant of alkaline soil so should grow in most soils. Unfortunately it is deciduous and pretty dull in the summer months. Don't forget Snowdrops and Helleborus niger the Christmas Rose which comes in some lovely colours.
Daphne odora Rebecca - a small shrub suitable for container-growing. It has evergreen variegated foliage and mauve-pink, beautifully-scented flowers in winter/early spring. Needs a sheltered spot, but otherwise, quite easy to grow.
The variety of colours to be found in the Violas and Primulas is vast, so you'll be spoilt for choice.
There is also an enormous range of variegated ivies suitable for growing in pots, which look nice either on their own or complement other plants well.
Snowdrops, crocuses and Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite) look great in pots too.
Ornamental cabbage and kale are also nice.
In the winter heathers (Erica) there is a wide choice of flower and foliage colours - sometimes it's worth looking around for some of the more unusual named cultivars.
Sempervivum (Houseleeks) are easy to care for and look great in winter covered in frost. 'Reinhard' is a popular cultivar, easily located in most garden centres.
I'd never want to be without my hellebores. I have both the Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose) and Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose). Their beautiful flowers are long-lasting and they have lovely architectural foliage. Mine grow in a woodland border and look great in winter and early spring, with purple Primula and miniature Narcissi planted around them. You can grow them just as well in containers though.
Evergreen ferns are also an option. They look great with a frost on them and they're well suited to container-growing too. I have a beautiful Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's Tongue Fern) in the same woodland border as the hellebores and it really is stunning at this time of the year. The main thing with ferns is for them to have a shady position in the warmer months.
Herbs with attractive winter foliage, such as rosemary, thyme, curry plant and sage also have the added bonus of being useful in the kitchen.
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Lonicera fragrantissima, the Winter Honeysuckle is a shrub with small very fragrant white honeysuckle flowers, flowering at this time of year. In the NW of England it grows to about 5ft high [might be bigger further south so check that out] and is completely hardy. The ones I have seen were in partial shade, and growing in both clay and sandy soils both acidic. I have never heard of Lonicera being intolerant of alkaline soil so should grow in most soils. Unfortunately it is deciduous and pretty dull in the summer months. Don't forget Snowdrops and Helleborus niger the Christmas Rose which comes in some lovely colours.
Daphne odora Rebecca - a small shrub suitable for container-growing. It has evergreen variegated foliage and mauve-pink, beautifully-scented flowers in winter/early spring. Needs a sheltered spot, but otherwise, quite easy to grow.
The variety of colours to be found in the Violas and Primulas is vast, so you'll be spoilt for choice.
There is also an enormous range of variegated ivies suitable for growing in pots, which look nice either on their own or complement other plants well.
Snowdrops, crocuses and Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite) look great in pots too.
Ornamental cabbage and kale are also nice.
In the winter heathers (Erica) there is a wide choice of flower and foliage colours - sometimes it's worth looking around for some of the more unusual named cultivars.
Sempervivum (Houseleeks) are easy to care for and look great in winter covered in frost. 'Reinhard' is a popular cultivar, easily located in most garden centres.
I'd never want to be without my hellebores. I have both the Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose) and Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose). Their beautiful flowers are long-lasting and they have lovely architectural foliage. Mine grow in a woodland border and look great in winter and early spring, with purple Primula and miniature Narcissi planted around them. You can grow them just as well in containers though.
Evergreen ferns are also an option. They look great with a frost on them and they're well suited to container-growing too. I have a beautiful Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's Tongue Fern) in the same woodland border as the hellebores and it really is stunning at this time of the year. The main thing with ferns is for them to have a shady position in the warmer months.
Herbs with attractive winter foliage, such as rosemary, thyme, curry plant and sage also have the added bonus of being useful in the kitchen.
Last edited: 14 December 2016 10:05:12