Winter Flowering Trees and Shrubs

Just because the days are becoming duller, colder and shorter, it doesn’t mean your garden has to be quite so horrible to look at. There are plenty of trees and shrubs that flower and actually look their best during the winter, so it’s still possible to inject a bit of life into your garden at this time of year. Not only do they spring to life during winter, they’re also resilient enough to withstand the harsh weather that winter brings! This guide should help you advise you as to which trees and shrubs you can use!

Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’

This shrubs combination of deep pink buds that open to blushed white flowers and are then followed by blue and black berries. In fact, during winter months, it’s common to see all three colours on the shrub at the same time which makes it a colourful addition to any winter garden.

Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’

Not only is this flowering shrub beautiful to look at, its wonderful scent makes it a treat for your nose, too! Its white flowers grow from bright red buds meaning that it really fits in with the colours associated with Christmas and winter. This shrub also tends to grow upright, so it’s perfect if you don’t have a lot of space in your garden! Even though this shrub flowers in winter, it does grow better if it’s sheltered in colder areas.

Chimonanthus praecox

This lovely winter-flowering shrub grows best against a sunny garden wall. Not only is the spicy fragrance warming and very appropriate for winter, the pale yellow flowers with brown streaks on the inside of the petals are gorgeous. This flower may take a couple of years to actually flower after it’s been planted, but be patient because it’s most definitely worth waiting for!

Japanese Apricot, Prunus mume 'Beni-Shidare’

This winter flowering tree is perfect for injecting some colour into an otherwise dull and dreary winter garden. It grows in a lollipop shape and it’s rich carmine pink coloured flowers will add a powerful fragrance to your outside space.

Parrotiopsis jacquemontii

This plant rests on the line between large shrub and small tree and boasts wonderful creamy white coloured flowers during the latter part of the winter months. Its flowers bear resemblance to Chinese and American dogwoods and the plant will usually grow to its fullest potential when positioned in a sunny area of the garden.

Cornus Midwinter Fire

The bright burnt orange colour of this winter flowering shrub is great for adding a pop of colour into the dreariness of winter and it will be sure to stand out and make a statement, even when the other plants in your garden have withered in the cold. The plant’s versatility is also a positive: it will grow well in both full sun and partial shade, providing that they are kept well-watered. It’s recommended that these shrubs are planted in threes to get the full effect of their shocking colour.

What are you favourite winter flowering plants and shrubs? Let us know!

[Photo Credit: wallygrom ]