20 Stunning Winter Flowering Plants For Your Outdoor Space

By ELIZABETH WADDINGTON / Updated September 4th, 2023
Reviewed By PETER LICKORISH / Meets Our Editorial Guidelines

Winter flowering plants are a boon for the gardener and winter wildlife.

It is important to choose the right plants for the right places, taking the conditions and the needs of the plants into account.

The good news is that no matter where you live in the UK, there are winter flowering plants that could suit your garden.

Winter flowering plants are important for wildlife – providing a source of nectar when there are far fewer blooms around.

This is good for wildlife, and therefore good for the ecosystem.

But it is also good for you as the gardener.

Having plenty of winter flowers around won’t just look good and provide cheer when the weather is wilder, it will also mean that wildlife is in place to help you with your gardening through the rest of the year.

In this article, we will look at shrubs, perennials or bedding plants, and bulbs.

We’ll explore twenty of the best winter flowering plants that you could consider for your outside space.

Winter Flowering Shrubs

First of all, let’s take a look at some winter-flowering shrubs you could consider:

1) Daphne

Pink Daphne odora flowers with green foliage

HARDINESS RATING: H4
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 2.5 X 1.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – MARCH

There are a number of different Daphne species that bear beautiful blooms during winter or very early spring.

D. bholua and D. odora are just two interesting and attractive options to consider.

D. bholua originates in the Eastern Himalayas. ‘Jaqueline Postill’ has fragrant pinkish-white flowers.

D. odora, native to Japan and Korea, is known for its pale pink flowers and glossy evergreen foliage.

These are just a couple of different Daphnes that are beautiful in the winter months.

2) Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)

snow on branches of witch hazel tree in bloom

HARDINESS RATING: H6
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 4 X 4M
FLOWERING MONTHS: JANUARY – MARCH

Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub whose wiry yellow flowers appear on bare branches in the middle of winter, adding plenty of interest to the garden at this time of the year.

This is a pest-tolerant and hardy species great for a woodland garden.

It does best in neutral to slightly acidic soil, in a position sheltered from drying winds.

3) White Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum)

HARDINESS RATING: H6
POSITION: FULL SUN
SIZE: 1.5 X 2.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – MARCH

This is another deciduous shrub that bears flowers on its bare stems over the late winter or very early spring.

The slender branches form fragrant white or pale pink flowers around 1cm across that somewhat resemble the flowers of Forsythia – hence the common name for this Korean native.

4) Christmas Box (Sarcococca confusa)

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 1.5 X 1.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: DECEMBER – MARCH

This winter flowering evergreen shrub is known for its fragrant white blooms that stand out in winter against the dark green foliage of the plant.

As long as the soil is well-drained, Christmas box can cope with a site that is in full sun or shade.

It could be a good choice for mixed hedging and its interest carries through to summer when dark inedible berries develop.

“I also have a soft spot for a similar Christmas box, Sarcococca hookeriana, which oozes elegance, with its shapely form and red highlights at the bases of flowers and on the stems,” says Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.

5) Heathers (Erica ssp.)

heather growing in a terracotta pot with snow all around

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.5 X 1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: DECEMBER – APRIL

There are a number of winter flowering heathers that work well to bring blooms to a garden over the coldest months.

These low-growing shrubs can work well at the front of a bed or border, and can also work well in containers.

There are varieties with flowers in a range of different shades from purple through pink to white.

6) Viburnum

white viburnum flowers with some turning into red berries

HARDINESS RATING: H4-H6
POSITION: ANY
SIZE: 2.5 X 2.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: NOVEMBER – MARCH

Viburnums are another broad species that has a number of varietals that flower in winter.

One example is Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’.

This has pink buds around Christmas that then bloom into white flowers early in the new year.

“Among my favourite Viburnums is Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’, featuring strongly fragrant pink flowers at the dawn of the year,” says Peter.

“It is deciduous, but the ribbed foliage is attractive.”

7) Skimmia japonica

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: FULL OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 2.5 X 1.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: MARCH – APRIL

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ actually flowers in spring.

But over the winter months, it bears prominent flower buds that add a lot of interest to a winter garden.

Other skimmias bear beautiful red berries over the winter months which are great for Christmas.

Most skimmias are either male or female, so you’ll need to grow male and female plants if you want females to produce berries.¹

8) Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’

variegated leaves and hanging berries of Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata'

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 4 X 4M
FLOWERING MONTHS: OCTOBER – NOVEMBER

An excellent nitrogen-fixing evergreen shrub, there are a number of Elaeagnus spp. that can work well in a winter garden.²

‘Maculata’ bears small silvery-white flowers from late Autumn.

9) Mahonia x media

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: ANY
SIZE: 4 X 4M
FLOWERING MONTHS: NOVEMBER – MARCH

Several varieties of Mahonia are evergreens that bear attractive spires of sunshine yellow flowers in late winter.

These cheerful flowers are followed by purple berries.

Mahonia x media (‘Charity’ and ‘Winter Sun’) and Mahonia aquifolium are excellent shade-tolerant plants, bringing colour to even shady spots in a garden.

10) Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

white flowers and red fruits of arbutus unedo tree

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: FULL SUN
SIZE: 8 X 8M
FLOWERING MONTHS: NOVEMBER

This small tree or shrub will grow to an eventual height of 4.5-6m, occasionally larger.

It bears white or pink-tinged flowers between October and December, then small strawberry-like fruit in autumn, which are edible, and are sweet but somewhat insipid.

It can be useful in making jams and preserves.

Sowing plenty of shrubs and woody perennials in your garden won’t just provide attractive blooms and foliage over the winter months.

It will also help you sequester more carbon in your garden than you could do by growing only annual plants.³

The more carbon you can store in your garden in trees and other plants and the soil, the more you will be helping to combat our climate crisis.

Winter Flowering Perennials & Bedding Plants

If you want beds, borders, planters, containers or hanging baskets to look great all winter long, but don’t have space for shrubs, here are some more winter flowering plants to consider:

11) Hellebores

HARDINESS RATING: H7
POSITION: PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.5 X 0.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: NOVEMBER – MARCH

Hellebores come in a range of colours and with a range of characteristics.

The Christmas Rose is one common example, enjoyed around the festive season for its winter flowers.

Many oriental hybrids are popular, as these are easy to grow.

They are frequently bought as bedding plants from autumn onwards and used for adding late winter and spring interest to containers, beds or borders.

Though sold as bedding plants, they can bloom reliably in borders year after year.

12) Iris unguicularis

flowering Iris unguicularis in colours of violet and yellow

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: FULL SUN
SIZE: 0.5 X 0.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: OCTOBER – MARCH

Iris rhizomes need to be warmed up by the summer sun in August/September.

The flowers are an attractive violet hue, with white and yellowish patterns.

The only drawback with this plant is the foliage can be messy, with sporadic die-back.

13) Bergenia crassifolia

pink Bergenia Crassifolia flowers protruding from snow

HARDINESS RATING: H7
POSITION: ANY
SIZE: 0.5 X 0.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: February – APRIL

Bergenia crassifolia, also known as winter-flowering bergenia or winter-flowering elephant’s ears, is a clump-forming evergreen perennial that is well known for its hardiness and vigour.

Erect clusters of purple-pink flowers develop from winter into spring, and leaves often tinge red over winter, providing additional interest in the winter garden.

14) Winter Pansies / Violas

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.5 X 0.5M
FLOWERING MONTHS: ANY

Pansies/violas are amongst the most common and popular options when it comes to bedding plants for a winter garden.

Winter pansies come in a staggering array of hues, and they can overwinter in a sheltered garden, or in containers, right through the coldest part of the year.

“I prefer violas and pansies with prominent faces, the term for the dark central pattern, which adds an extra character to them,” says Peter.

“They can also act as a thread to tie together a mix of colours which could otherwise look chaotic or playful, depending on your point of view!”

15) Winter Primula / Primroses

HARDINESS RATING: H7
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.1 X 0.1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: OCTOBER – APRIL

Primulas and primroses are also popular bedding plants for the winter months.

These too come in a wide range of colours and can add interest and cheer to a winter garden.

Winter Flowering Bulbs

Finally, some of the most delicate and delightful winter flowering plants come from bulbs. Here are five further options to consider:

16) Snowdrops

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.1 X 0.1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: JANUARY – MARCH

Snowdrops are often one of the first blooms we notice each year.

At their best when planted below trees in naturalistic drifts, snowdrops are a delight of the late winter.

To make the display look more natural, scatter the bulbs across the area and plant them where they happen to fall.

17) Winter Aconite

Winter Aconite flowers blooming on forest ground

HARDINESS RATING: H6
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.1 X 0.1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: JANUARY – March

This is another winter-flowering bulb that looks great in drifts in a woodland or forest garden.

They thrive in moist soil and shade.

The cheery yellow flowers resemble buttercups, but pop up in the depths of winter.

18) Cyclamen coum

pink flowers of Cyclamen coum covered in ice and snow

HARDINESS RATING: H5
POSITION: PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.1 X 0.1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: DECEMBER – MARCH

These pretty pink flowers pop up their heads and bloom as early as December, emerging from a carpet of silver-marbled foliage.

These are great companions for the two winter flowering plants mentioned above.

19) Crocuses

purple crocus growing out of snow covered soil

HARDINESS RATING: H6
POSITION: FULL SUN
SIZE: 0.1 X 0.1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: February – MARCH

Emerging from late winter and into early spring, crocuses are another cheery sight.

Plant into a sunny glade or naturalise in a lawn for a delightful and colourful flowering display early in the year.

Crocus tommasinianus is one of the earliest flowering species.

20) Daffodils

HARDINESS RATING: H6
POSITION: FULL SUN OR PARTIAL SHADE
SIZE: 0.1 X 0.1M
FLOWERING MONTHS: FEBRUARY – MARCH

Finally, we may think of daffodils as more of a spring-flowering plant.

But there are a number of varieties that pop up earlier in the year.

Early flowering cultivars like ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’ or ‘February Gold’ can have a big impact in a late winter garden.

Paperwhite narcissus are also commonly forced to bloom around the festive season indoors.

Start Planting This Winter

Winter flowering bulbs bloom over a period early in the year before storing nutrients in their bulbs for the rest of the year.

This means that they can be useful in attracting and feeding pollinators early in the year when few nectar sources are about.

But also in catching and storing water and nutrients and retaining them in your garden.

Winter flowering plants can each have a role to play in the long-term health and aesthetic value of your garden.

“Plenty of pollinators, including species of bumble bee, do not go fully dormant in winter and are instead winter-active, relying on us to sustain their nectar supply,” explains Peter.

But it is important to bear in mind that you need to choose the winter flowering plants that work well where you live.

Think about your climate, and the microclimate in your particular garden.

Consider the sun and the wind, and of course the characteristics of your soil.

Understand the specific needs of specific plants before you decide which to include in your winter garden.

Make the right plant and design choices and you can have a garden that is abundant and beautiful, not just over the summer months but all year round.

You can have a garden that blooms in winter too when you choose the right winter flowering plants.

References

1
Garden Plant of the Month November: Skimmia. (2018, December 4). Flower Council. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk/campaign/garden-plant-of-the-month-november-skimmia
2
Elaeagnus: A Widely Distributed Temperate Nitrogen Fixer. (1995, December). Winrock International. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://winrock.org/factnet-a-lasting-impact/fact-sheets/elaeagnus-a-widely-distributed-temperate-nitrogen-fixer/
3
Norman, C., & Kreye, M. (2020, November 24). How Forests Store Carbon. PennState Extension. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://extension.psu.edu/how-forests-store-carbon