Winter Flowering Plants

I realise I have alluded to this many times already in my blog, but (at the risk of sounding like a broken record), I am keen that our garden works as a year long larder for the insects and birds that share it with us. Key in this desire is having year long flowering plants. Don't get me wrong, I am not being wholly altruistic in this approach as, lets face it, who doesn't love to see flowers all year round?

I already have a small collection of winter flowering plants dotted around the garden, though I am intending to add more. I am not quite ready to create a proper "winter garden" yet, as there is lots of clearing to be done first. However, as an aide memoire to myself and also as a reference point for others who may glance at this blog, I have compiled a list of some plants which could be considered of interest at this time of year.

I must admit, on completing this list, I was surprised at the multitude of plants that could be designated "of winter interest" and I really do feel inspired to add more to my garden. This is by no means an exhaustive list of course and I realise that there are many plants that I haven't included, such as the quintessential Christmas plant - holly - with its beautiful scarlet berries, or the evergreens which provide colour and shelter for the birds and animals in the gloomiest months. I decided that I had to stop somewhere, though would welcome any additions you may like to add!

Shrubs and trees

Japanese mahonia (Mahonia japonica) - medium sized evergreen shrub. Clusters of fragrant yellow flowers from late Autumn-early Spring, followed by blue/black berries.

Oriental paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) - lightly fragrant yellow flowers at the end of bare stems. Flowers February-April.

Winter flowering honeysuckle (e.g. Lonicera purpusii) - beautifully scented, small white/cream flowers November-March.

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) - yellow or white flowers November-March. Can be trained against a wall or used as ground cover.

Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) - a large group of plants, some of which produce highly scented, white/pink flowers which can endure throughout the Winter months.

Daphne odora - evergreen shrub which produces clusters of strongly fragrant pale pink flowers from January-March.

Fern-leaved clematis (Clematis cirrhosa) - an evergreen climber (the leaves turn bronze-purple in Winter) with slightly fragrant, cream-coloured flowers during late Winter-early Spring.

Japanese quince (Chaenomeles spp.) - a spiny shrub with beautiful red, pink or white flowers in late Winter or early Spring. Can be trained against a wall. Bears edible fruits in Autumn.

White forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum) - a deciduous shrub bearing fragrant white flowers in late Winter or early Spring.

Dogwood (Cornus spp.) - a group of woody plants that can display brightly coloured bark through the winter months. Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire', for example, displays a blaze of yellow, orange and red branches, whilst Cornus alba and Cornus sericea appear a bright red.

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) - a shrub or small tree belonging to the Dogwood family. Bears yellow flowers in the late winter and edible fruit (usually used to make jam) in the Summer.

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)- a vigorous deciduous shrub bearing strongly scented yellow flowers between November and March.

Winter flowering cherry (Prunus subhirtella "Autumnalis") - a small tree bearing white blossom (opening from pink buds), which is followed by the appearance of small fruit which is popular with garden birds. Flowers first appear in the Autumn and then continue sporadically through Winter and early Spring. Leaves also turn a lovely fiery red in the Autumn.

Sweet box (Sarcococca confusa) - an evergreen shrub that bears small, sweetly scented white flowers in Winter, followed by glossy black berries.

Hybrid witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) - a variety of plants which produce spider-shaped yellow, orange and red flowers bearing a spicy fragrance. Many cultivars flower through the winter months.

Coronilla glauca 'Citrina' - a small evergreen shrub which produces masses of small, fragrant lemon-coloured flowers in late Winter and early Spring.

Camellia spp. - a large group of evergreen shrubs and small trees which include Camellia sinensis - the plant used to make tea. Flowers often appear in Winter and can be single or double, and come in a variety of colours.

Low level

Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) - a low level yellow flower, bearing some resemblance to the buttercup - flowers February-March (earlier in milder climates).

Common primrose (Primula vulgaris) - a woodland plant forming clusters of pale yellow flowers - can flower from December through to May.

Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) - trumpet shaped flowers of white or (more commonly) yellow. Traditionally flowering in March, though can be as early as February if weather is mild.

Algerian iris (Iris unguicularis) - produces fragrant purple flowers from early Winter through to Spring.

Early bulbous iris/dwarf iris (Iris reticulata) - smaller than the Algerian iris, produces blue, purple, yellow or white flowers, from February-March (though some varieties can flower as early as December).

Hellebores (Helleborus spp.) - shade tolerant plant, flowers from Winter-Spring - includes the traditional "Christmas rose" (H. niger) and the "Lenten rose" (H. orientalis) . Colours can vary from white or green, through pink, to a deep reddish purple.

Crocus - colourful low-level plants belonging to the iris family. Most commonly purple, yellow or white. Flowers late Winter-early Spring.

Pansies and violas - lovely, brightly coloured plants in a multitude of shades - different varieties can flower throughout the year. Look lovely in pots.

Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.) - beautiful white flowers from January-March - look wonderful if allowed to naturalise in "drifts".

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) - low growing shrub which can form good ground cover. Winter flowering varieties produce white or purple/pink flowers, some of which are fragrant. Foliage can also vary from green to yellow/gold.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.) - can flower throughout the year, though many Winter-flowering varieties are available. Flowers are colourful pinks, purples and whites and can look particularly attractive naturalised in drifts.