The best winter bedding plants to brighten your garden
Autumn is the perfect time to fill your hanging baskets, window boxes, flowerbeds, and containers with winter bedding plants.
Winter bedding plants, such as pansies and violas, inject much-needed colour into the garden in the cooler months. September and early October are the best time to plant your winter bedding plants due to the lingering warmth in the soil.
"To keep your winter bedding plants looking their best, make sure you mulch the beds before the first frost. This helps to insulate the soil, retain moisture, and protect the roots from freezing temperatures," says Maryam Ghani, brand manager at Haute Florist.
Planting them in well-draining soil is also key, as waterlogged ground in winter can cause the roots to rot. While you can plant them separately, Maryam says another key to success is grouping plants with similar requirements together
"For example, pansies and violas both appreciate a sunny spot, while hellebores and cyclamen prefer shaded areas. Understanding where to plant each type will help them thrive in the colder months."
Take a look at the best winter bedding plants...
Pansies
Available in an array of colours and varieties, pansies are a classic winter favourite for good reason.
"They are incredibly hardy and can bloom through frost and even light snow," says Maryam, who also suggests deadheading regularly to encourage continuous blooms.
Violas
Similar to pansies but with smaller flowers, violas are another excellent choice for winter bedding. "Pansies tend to be even more resilient than pansies and often produce more blooms."
You can either plant them in large drifts together or why not mix them in with other winter-flowering plants for a truly vibrant display.
Primroses
Another popular winter bedding plant, primroses are especially hardy, meaning they can withstand cold temperatures and quite a bit of shade. They're ideal for brightening up your garden over the winter months thanks to their pink, purple, yellow and white blooms.
All being well, they should have a long flowering period, typically from winter into early spring.
Cyclamen
Cyclamens are brilliant winter bedding plants, known for their uniquely shaped flowers and patterned leaves.
Simply place them in some sheltered spots and "they’ll reward you with months of stunning blooms," says Maryam.
Hellebores
Hellebores – also known as the Christmas rose – tend to bloom from midwinter to early spring.
"Producing gorgeous deep purple, red and white flowers, it's important to ensure they never get too dry (unlikely with the weather we tend to have in the winter months)," says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
Even though they are hardy, you should still apply a layer of mulch to protect its roots in particularly cold weather.
Erysimum (Wallflowers)
Erysimum – or as they are commonly known, wallflowers – add both colour and fragrance to your winter garden. Best planted in late September into October, "they're a bit of an old-fashioned favourite, but they've remained popular for a reason," says Maryam.
"Their rich jewel tones look especially stunning in combination with bulbs like snowdrops or early crocuses.”
Skimmia
For winter foliage with a hint of fragrance, skimmia is an excellent choice. "Clusters of red buds open into small, scented white flowers, while its evergreen leaves provide structure year-round," says Maryam.
Skimmia looks particularly charming when combined with winter pansies or hellebores.
Winter-flowering heathers
If you're looking to bring in texture as well as colour, winter-flowering heathers are ideal.
"They are as tough as nails. Once established, they are low-maintenance and will provide months of colour in shades of pink, purple, and white."
Bellis
"Bellis is hardy and compact, making it the ideal winter bedding plant," says Morris. It's one of the most aesthetically pleasing, thanks to its unique pompom-like flowers.
"Bellis plants prefer full sun, but they can still thrive in partial shade. They also don't grow well in waterlogged soil, so it needs to be free-draining," says Morris.
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