Brian Minter: Colourful gardens in winter? How to get the results

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After two winters with significant cold spells, there are a lot of fingers crossed that our current mild weather can be extended through February. Many winter flowering plants are showcasing their beauty now and can be enjoyed at a time when we could all use a little lift from nature.

Colour in winter is more precious than at any other time of the year because it comes during the coldest and darkest months. Our many beautiful gardens, like Van Dusen, Butchart, Nitobe and UBC Botanical Gardens, have wonderful displays of winter colour, and it makes a visit at this time of the year worthwhile.

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Our own gardens, large or small, would benefit from a little more colour during the winter season. Not only would it give us pleasure, but winter hummingbirds and many pollinators would also benefit because they are searching for food when temperatures are in the range of 10 C or higher.

What are some of the best winter plants that we can rely on for long lasting, beautiful colour? Three perennials really stand out. The many varieties of helleborus provide the longest sequence of colour. Helleborus niger has been in bloom for some time now and within that family, there are varieties providing many shades of both flower and foliage colour. Next to follow are the Ice ‘n’ Roses. The beautiful flowers of these hellebores come in a selection of whites, deep purples and unique picotee bicolours. They are just beginning to open. Many other varieties will follow, each with unique combinations of flowers and foliage. My new favourites are the Frost Kiss Series with their wide range of flower colours and spectacular foliage.

Some of the most delightful winter perennials are the coum cyclamens. Their foliage alone is vibrant with a blend of silver leaves, and their deep purple blossoms are lovely. They prefer to be planted under trees and shrubs, such as azaleas and rhododendrons.

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The many varieties of evergreen euphorbias are just now beginning to bow their heads, revealing their spectacular lime flowers that can last for months. Euphorbia wulfenii is one of my favourites because of its blue foliage which contrasts nicely with its chartreuse flowers.

Of all the flowering shrubs, Viburnum Pink Dawn has, by far, the longest lasting and hardiest winter flowers. These lightly fragrant pink blooms are just beginning to open, and they will continue to do so until March.

One of the most highly perfumed honeysuckles is one that blooms in winter. Even now, Lonicera fragrantissima is sending out a beautiful scent from its masses of pure white blossoms.

They are not blooming yet, but the buds are swelling on the flowering apricot Prunus mume. They look like early flowering plums, and are showing off their masses of white, pink and red blooms that last for weeks.

Each of these flowering trees and shrubs could easily be underplanted with winter flowering heathers. Erica carneas are the hardiest of the winter heathers, and after the last two challenging winters, they are the preferred variety. Ericas flower during various time periods, and, by using the right combinations, their colour can be enjoyed from late October well into April. Bees love winter heathers, and when they are underplanted around other winter flowering trees, these spots become an oasis for bees and many other pollinators.

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There’s a wide range of sasanqua camellias flowering now, and they will continue to bloom into March when C. japonica varieties begin their display. Many are a source of nectar for the Anna’s hummingbirds.

Although not many growers produce them, winter-flowering mahonias (Oregon grapes), like M. media Winter Sun, are now full of yellow flowers. They not only provide bright and vibrant yellow flowers, but they are also a nectar source for winter hummingbirds.

Winter flowering jasmines (J. nudiflorum) are currently blooming and will continue on into April. They are best trained up a trellis or along a fence for the most spectacular performance. They can also provide nice cut flowers at this time of the year.

I’m surprised that with our mild weather Chinese witch hazels are a little slow to show colour this year. If you look at their buds, you can see just a bit of colour beginning to show, but I’m sure they will soon explode into full colour. I love their spidery blooms that come in all shades of yellow, orange, red and lavender. The hamamelis family will delight you with gorgeous colour, usually from late December until mid-March. They can be espaliered along a fence line or up against a building for a lovely display. I also love their autumn colouring that extends their season of garden beauty.

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The choices for winter flowering plants are quite extensive. Unfortunately, a few items have become very difficult to find, such as white Abeliophyllum distichum, Corylopsis pauciflora and Garrya elliptica James Roof. Local growers tend not to focus on winter flowering plants as they simply do not sell well. Winter gardening is, at best, a well-kept secret, and most of today’s newer gardeners have yet to discover its charm.

If you decide to plant some winter colour, it’s important to plant in the most sheltered areas that have some protection from cold winds. This will allow for the most optimum and longest garden performance. If we do get one of those dreaded cold spells, be sure to have some mulch and winter protection fabric, like N-Sulate, on hand so that you can cover them for just the duration of the cold.

Once your winter plants become better established, they will withstand the cold more easily. With a little protection, you will be able to extend your winter flowers for many weeks.

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