You can brighten up the garden in those cold dreary days by growing these Winter Flowering Plants that can flourish even in deadly winters. Read the article and grow these fantastic specimens and enhance the beauty of your garden

1. Hellebores

Hellebores are an evergreen perennial from the genus Helleborus; they are also known as Christmas rose, lenten rose, or winter rose. They can bloom in the freezing months of winter due to their deep rooting system. Hellebore flowers come in many shades of. pink, yellow, purple and white, even green.

Hellebores in our Aberdeen garden

2. Heathers

For Winter flowering Heathers, choose the variety (Erica) they are small evergreen shrubs that grow from 7-19 inches (20-50 cms) tall; they bloom in shades of purple, pink, red and white, some flowering from Winter through until mid Spring. For best results grow these winter hardy drought-resistant plants in a position that provides full sun and good-drainage. Plant heathers in Autumn or early spring (acidic soil). They flourish in USDA hardiness zones 4-8, and all parts of the UK.

Heathers in our Scottish garden

3. Cyclamen Hederifolium

These beautiful nodding shaped flowers are a must in your Autumn, Winter and Spring garden. The flowers of cyclamen are less than an inch (2.5 cm) width with twisted petals. They acquire magenta to white colour that has a dark marking at the base with ivy-shaped leaves, patterned in the silvery-green shade. Cyclamen thrives in well-draining humus-rich soil in partial shade. Cyclamen Coum and Hederifolium are best for Winter flowering.

4. Snowdrops

Snowdrops or Galanthus Nivalis are popular, slightly fragrant flowers that come in an appealing, droplet-like pendulous white petals; some appear as early as November and bloom till February. These small bulbous perennials grow elegant, nodding white flowers with green spots and gray-green leaves. They thrive in full as well as partial shade in medium and well-drained soil.

5. Algerian Iris (Winter flowering Iris)

Also known as Iris Unguicularis, it starts blooming around Thanksgiving every year, in the UK they start to bloom in late January. Iris require winter sun to produce flowers. The bright lavender to purple shade blossoms ooze a gentle fragrance too; they grow up to 12-18 inches high. Although it is drought-resistant, don’t allow the plant to dry out completely.

Winter flowering Iris in our Aberdeen garden

6. Viburnum Tinus Spirit

Viburnum Tinus ‘spirit’ is a popular plant that is grown for ornamental flowers and a cluster of radiant berries that holds blue, red, and black colour. It bears flock of tiny pink buds, which open to mildly fragrant white flowers from November to May. Place the plant in full to dappled shade in light and sandy soil.

Viburnum Tinus Spirit in our Fife Garden

7. Camellia Japonica ‘Bob Hope’

Camellia japonica ‘Bob Hope’ has alluring, ruffled deep red petals in semi-double flowers. It blooms in mid-season that starts from January-March in the northern hemisphere and June-August in the southern hemisphere. ‘Bob Hope’ flourishes well in full to partial sun. Prune after flowering to maintain the shape and size.

Camellia in our Fife Garden

8. Jasmine Nudiflorum

It is also called Winter jasmine that is an evergreen, deciduous shrub. The star-shaped flowers of this plant are fragrant and yellow, with stems holding dark green hue that gives an evergreen impression in winters as well. Though twining stems often grow as climbers, regular pruning is necessary to manage its shape. Grow the plant in fertile soil under full sunlight.

9. Hamamelis

Hamamelis or Witch hazel is a large deciduous shrub that produces fragrant frost-tolerant, ochre-yellow flowers in mid to late winters. The petals are star-shaped, narrow, and ruffled with red-purple sepals. Its dark green leaves turn in the shades of orange and yellow in Autumn. It prefers fertile, acidic, and well-drained soil, blooming well in full sun.

Hamamelis in our garden

10. Pieris Japonica

Native to Japan, Taiwan, and eastern China, Pieris japonica is also known as ‘Red Head’ (Japanese Andromeda), which is an evergreen shrub. It blooms in late winters with a large cluster of pink buds. It opens to a scented, dangling, vase-shaped creamy-white flowers, creating an elegant contrast with dark green foliage. Pieris japonica grows well under full to partial shade in humus-rich, moist soil.

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Tomorrow I am going into Ninewells Hospital for surgery in my right eye which has a tear in the retina. Depending on the success I look forward to returning in January. Wishing you all the best in the coming season of goodwill, Alistair

Elly Rey is a content writer on BalconyGardenWeb. Their website serves over one million visitors with fresh and informative content every month.