10 winter flowers to plant now for a flurry of blooms over the colder months

On the hunt for winter flowers that bloom over Christmas? You've come to the right place – there are countless winter plants that flower during the colder months, indoors and out.

The best winter garden ideas involve flowering plants that brighten up your space while the rest of your plants are asleep. And if you've been getting your garden ready for winter, investing in a few winter-flowering plants is a great idea.

To give you a little inspiration, we've put together a list of the best winter flowers to plant now for seasonal displays.

The best winter flowers to plant now

Whether you want a Christmas hanging basket that'll turn all of your neighbours' heads or you're looking to fill your garden borders with a riot of colour, it's worth researching the best winter flowers before you start.

'There are so many flowers to be had during the shortest days,' says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries. 'And a dazzling display of berries and winter stems, too.'

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants, which he established after graduating with a Commercial Horticulture Degree from Writtle College, Essex in 1992.

With these words ringing in our ears, here are the best winter flowers to plant now while the soil is still warm (just!).

1. Hellebores

Hellebores are some of the most striking winter flowers around, thanks to the exciting array of colours available.

'Often called Christmas roses, Helleborus niger are perfect for winter gardens, blooming from late December onward,' says Emma Fell, head of horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres. 'These hardy perennials produce large, nodding flowers even in frosty conditions.

'Plant them now in a sheltered, shady spot with well-drained soil to enjoy their elegant blooms right around Christmas.'

Hellebores come in a range of colours, from white to near-black purple, so it's little wonder that they're one of the best winter plants that flower.

Where to buy hellebores:

• Crocus: Go for classic white winter flowers with Helleborus niger 'Christmas Carol' or the pink-red blooms of Helleborus × hybridus 'Tutu'
• Sarah Raven: Helleborus x 'Diamonfire' produces creamy yellow-green flowers

2. Winter jasmine

If you're looking for scented winter flowers, jasmine is a great place to start – or winter jasmine, more specifically. It also happens to be one of the best winter plants for pots.

'Winter jasmine, or Jasminium nudiflorum, bursts into bright yellow blooms from December to early spring,' says Emma. 'Their flowers appear on bare stems, providing a stunning contrast to the winter landscape.

'Plant now in a sunny or partially shaded location and they will bloom early in the winter, making them a perfect addition to any Christmas display.'

Where to buy winter jasmine:

• Gardening Express: Plant winter jasmine for vibrant yellow blooms
• Thompson & Morgan: Another great place to buy a Jasminum nudiflorum plant

3. Amaryllis

When it comes to winter plants that flower inside, amaryllis is one of the best Christmas houseplants. The showy blooms make brilliant gifts and are perfect for adding a splash of colour to the home over the festive period.

'A favourite for creating dramatic indoor displays, amaryllis shows off with its big, trumpet-shaped blooms perched on tall stems,' says Jo, founder of Beards & Daisies. 'Plant the bulbs in well-draining soil, leaving about a third exposed, and then place them in a warm spot to kickstart growth.'

If you want your plants to flower in time for Christmas, it's crucial that you know when to plant amaryllis bulbs. We're fast approaching the end of the planting window, so get a move on!

Where to buy amaryllis bulbs and plants:

• Suttons: Stock up on bulbs with this Amaryllis Trio collection for winter flowering
• Ocado: Try the beautiful M&S 'Aphrodite' Double Flower Amaryllis Indoor Plant

4. Clematis

Award-winning garden designer Zoe Claymore counts clematis among her favourite winter flowers. She's especially fond of the 'Advent Bells' variety, with its unique creamy white and maroon spotted blooms.

This clematis is noted for its abundance of winter flowers, which appear throughout the colder months of the year to inject a little colour and vibrancy back into those darker days.

'It is evergreen in milder locations and great for quickly covering a nasty wall or fence,' says Zoe, adding that she has one in her own garden. 'The bees and I love it!'

Zoe Claymore

Zoe Claymore is a multi award winning garden designer based in London. She focuses on creating outdoor places with emotional connection and ecological integrity, for her private and commercial clients.

5. Winter-flowering pansies

Pansies have become a staple plant in winter flower arrangements, and little wonder: the cheerful little flowers are tough.

'Plant them now and these resilient flowers will continue blooming through winter, adding charm and colour throughout the Christmas season and beyond,' says Emma from Hillier Garden Centres.

Morris suggests you combine yours with other hardy plants like skimmia, heuchera or ivy (Hedera).

'Just don't forget to underplant with some spring-flowering bulbs for an extra wave of colour,' he adds.

Where to buy winter-flowering pansies:

• Gardening Direct: Order in a tray of Pansy Cool Wave Berries & Cream Mix
• Gardening Express: Go for the soft-blue Pansy 'True Blue'

6. Cyclamen

These hardy heart-shaped winter flowers are beautiful and fragrant, so it's little wonder that Zoe is such a fan.

She recommends mixing in Cyclamen hederifolium with Cyclamen coum for long-season interest under trees, but they'd look just as striking mixed in with ferns and other shade-tolerant plants, too.

You can also learn how to grow cyclamen indoors for flowers over the festive period.

Try Cyclamen hederifolium for delicate pink winter flowers:

7. Winter-flowering heathers

Heathers – specifically the Erica x darleyensis variety – are versatile winter plants that flower and create dramatic displays during the colder months.

'Unlike some of their cousins, they are less fussy over soil type,' says Morris, advising that you use them in flower beds for effective low-ground cover. 'However, some heathers will only succeed in acid soil.'

They come in many shades of white, pink, lilac, mauve and red, and some even boast colourful foliage, so Morris recommends choosing a mixture for winter flowers from November right through to April.

Where to buy winter-flowering heathers:

• Crocus: Go for the lilac-pink winter flowers of Erica × darleyensis 'Furzey'
• J. Parker's: Try Heathers (Erica) Winter Mixed plug plants for winter blooms
• Gardening Express: This winter-hardy Heather Collection is another brilliant option

8. Sweet box

Sweet box, or Sarcococca confusa, is a firm favourite among amateur and professional gardeners. It's an evergreen shrub with glossy foliage that produces creamy white winter flowers from December until March.

'Its sweet vanilla perfume travels far from even the youngest batch of plants and never fails to cheer us during the short winter days,' says Morris.

'This is a must-have winter flower, especially for a shady north-facing garden, where it will slowly grow into a waist-high shrub or hedge. Just be sure to plant them close to a path, doorway or seating area so the scent is appreciated!'

Buy sweet box from Crocus:

9. Winter Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle isn't just for summer – winter honeysuckle is another popular example of winter plants that flower over Christmas, and luckily, learning how to care for winter honeysuckle is easy.

'This little-known gem is surely one of the unsung heroes of the winter garden,' says Morris.

Describing it as an indestructible hardy shrub with sweetly fragrant flowers, Morris goes on to explain that the blooms will emerge in succession from December until springtime.

'They're well-suited to novice and experienced gardeners alike – but again, be sure to plant it somewhere the scent can be appreciated,' he adds.

Where to buy winter honeysuckle:

• Crocus: Plant Lonicera fragrantissima for beautifully fragranced winter flowers
• J. Parker's: Honeysuckle 'Winter Beauty' flowers from November to March

10. Viburnum tinus

Also known as the laurustinus bush, Viburnum tinus is a 'tough evergreen shrub with deep green foliage that sets off the winter flowers,' promises Morris.

While this one is a slow burner, it promises many months of colour from November until April – and while Morris is fond of the pink-tinged ‘Eve Price’ variety, we're personally big fans of the bolder 'Lisa Rose'.

Whichever variety you lose your heart to, you're guaranteed a very smooth love affair.

'These are great wind-resistant and hardy plants that can even be trimmed into topiary shapes,' Morris adds.

Where to buy Viburnum tinus:

• Crocus: Plant Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' this month for a flurry of winter blooms
• Gardening Express: Buy Viburnum tinus 'Lisa Rose' for long flowering

FAQs

What flowers flower in the winter in the UK?

From irises to snowdrops, hellebores to pansies, there are plenty of gorgeous winter flowers to fill your garden with this month – so long as you get to work before the ground freezes, that is.

If you're looking for indoor flowers this Christmas, you can't go wrong with a poinsettia, amaryllis or a paperwhite narcissus!

What are good winter bedding plants?

Besides winter-flowering pansies, winter violas make brilliant bedding plants. They're the sort of hardy winter flowers that will bloom all season long – even if there's snow and frost on the ground.

Violas are available in many different colours, making them perfect for any and all winter flower displays – so be sure to include them in your flower bed ideas.

Now that you know which winter flowers to plant in your garden, it's time to wrap up warm and get to work.

We promise that all of your hard work will be worth it when you look out of your window on Christmas morning and find yourself gazing at a sea of colour...