Note: This blog post is a sponsored conversation written by Lynn Smythe, the Founder and Chief Blogger for The Creative Cottage lifestyle blog. The opinions, thoughts, ideas and text are all mine.
Do you wish your garden could look beautiful and colorful even during the winter? Do you curse the cold months for making your outdoor space look bland and uninspiring? Well, the truth is; you shouldn’t! A lot of people don’t realize it, but you can make your garden look vibrant, pretty and filled with diverse colors from November to February.
The key is to simply find the perfect winter shrubs for the job. And this shouldn’t be too difficult considering the fact that there is actually a vast selection of plants available that blossom in the winter. You can easily search where to find succulent plants and winter flowers online and find plenty of options. Keep reading to discover the very best shrubs for the cold months ahead. From various colors to an array of different scents, there is definitely something for everybody.
1) Viburnum X Bodnantense
If pretty and pink is your thing then Viburnum X Bodnantense is definitely the shrub for you. You may also see the shrub labelled as Viburnum Dawn or Pink Viburnum Dawn. If you add this plant to your garden then you will benefit from masses of pale pink flowers, and that is without even mentioning the beautiful scent these flowers give off too.
One of the benefits of Viburnum X Bodnantense that a lot of people don’t expect is the fact that the flowers have a high tolerance against frost. This shrub is also quite strong and grows upright – reaching up to 10 feet tall.
Another great advantage of Viburnum Dawn winter shrubs is that you can easily cut the twigs off and use them for decoration in your home. This will have no impact on the display of the flowers since they are produced so copiously. If you are going to plant Viburnum X Bodnantense then you need to find a spot with full sun to partial shade. You should also be looking to use rich loamy soil that is moist yet well drained.
2) Chimonanthus Praecox
If you want to keep a bit of sun shining all the way through winter then these beautiful flowers will do just that with their stunning yellow appearance. Even the darkest of winter days can be brightened up with these flowers.
The flowers can be described as captivating and intriguing. They are unconventionally beautiful. Chimonanthus Praecox, also commonly known as Japanese Allspice or Wintersweet, also boasts a delightful strong fragrance too.
Chimonanthus Praecox winter shrubs are much more prominent if a hot summer has come before the winter period. One of the best things about Japanese Allspice is the fact that it is not a garden shrub that is prone to pests. Furthermore, you can keep the flowers at a height of up to around 6ft.
When it comes to planting Chimonanthus Praecox you shouldn’t have too much difficulty. This is one of the winter shrubs that are happy in any soil that has been well-drained. Try and plant them in a position whereby there is sun but also substantial shelter as well.
If you are planning on planting your Wintersweet by a wall then you will need to make sure the hole you dig is substantial. Make sure there is a good combination of soil and organic matter. And as you may expect; regular watering and mulching are needed too.
3) Chinese Witch Hazel
Chinese Witch Hazel blooms beautifully during winter. You can really brighten up the months ahead with this vibrant plant, and take away the doom and gloom that is so often associated with the winter period.
It is the colors of the Witch Hazel that truly make this one of the most unique and stunning winter shrubs. Chinese Witch Hazel comes in delightful chili, marmalade and citrus colors; a combination that is truly to die for. Furthermore, it can reach a massive 13 ft in terms of height.
This is a plant that is extremely robust if planted well. Fertile soil is the recipe for success with Chinese Witch Hazel; it tends not to grow well in acidic or chalky surfaces. Plant the seeds during September and November and you will benefit from vivid and beautiful flower coverage from December to February.
4) Nandina Domestica
The fact that Nandina Domestica is also known as ‘Heavenly Bamboo’ says everything about how fantastic this shrub is (it is also sometimes called scared bamboo too). However, despite the name it is not actually a bamboo, Nandina Domestica are evergreen winter shrubs.
They are considered to be the Far East equivalent of Holly. There is actually a beautiful story behind this shrub as well. History has it that people in Japan plant Nandina Domestica by their doorways. This is for the purpose of telling the plant their nightmare if they have a bad dream – by doing this they believe that no harm will come to them.
With regards to appearance, it has incredible red foliage all throughout the winter months. In fact, you will also find that Heavenly Bamboo often produces red berries as well. This is one of the best winter shrubs if you are really looking to embrace the winter theme; it is warm, homely and inviting. Similarly to the Chimonanthus Praecox it can grow to approximately 6 – 6.5 ft high.
If you are planning to grow Nandina Domestica then it is a plant that is a fan of acidic soil. The key thing during the winter months is to make sure you don’t let the plant become waterlogged. Finally, it is worth bearing in the mind the fact that the berries produced can be mildly toxic to pets.
There are no more excuses for neglecting your garden during the winter months anymore. With a fantastic selection of winter shrubs to choose from where can you possibly go wrong? This article has provided you with a diverse selection of plants – differing in appearance, style, color, scent, height and growing conditions. And so we are confident you will be able to find the perfect shrub for you; matching both your taste and the current condition of your outdoor area.
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