Colorful Shrubs for Winter Gardens

When winter comes round the gardens are often neglected due to lack of interest, cold weather and the approach of Christmas but they are mainly neglected due to the lack of winter flowers and color. This shortage can be corrected by planting some flowering shrubs to give some winter color and there are plenty to choose from. Listed below are just a few.

Mahonia

This is a good first choice. This shrub is native to North America and Asia; different species grow in different climates. However, it also grows perfectly well in European gardens giving year round evergreen foliage with yellow flowers all through the winter and early spring. The flowers are followed by edible berries, although they have a very bitter taste and can induce stomachache. Mahonia leaves are ‘holly like’ so care while handling is advised.

Berberis

This shrub is a close relation of Mahonia, native to Central and Southern Europe and Asia. It can be both deciduous and evergreen so for winter use select Berberis Julianae, an evergreen shrub. This is a fast growing, dense shrub and is ideal as a sturdy hedge. It grows about 3ft. tall and should be planted about 18″ apart, therefore a 10ft. hedge will need 7- 8 shrubs. Very little care is required and light pruning to keep the plant tidy is about as strenuous as it gets. The dark green foliage of this shrub is its most striking feature and the masses of yellow flowers in early spring are an added bonus. It likes chalky soil and some shade and its greatest dislikes are strong winds and wet shady sites.

Pyracantha

Pyracantha is another shrub that requires care while handling but it is certainly worth any effort given to it. Although it is native to Europe it is quite at home in the southern US states. Pyracantha is an ideal wall shrub – in fact it is an ideal all-rounder – and will do very well in patio containers. It is a fast growing shrub and can be trained to frame doorways, etc., with very little bother. Its flowers appear in spring but its winter contribution is from its abundance of red berries. The berries entice the bird and the birds will brighten any winter garden.

Camellia

Camellia is a gem for winter color and even though a number of catalogues state that this plant blooms from February onwards it is frequently found in bloom from November onwards until late spring. The colors readily available are pink, white, yellow and orange so blending with other shrubs is never a problem. It is noteworthy that Camellias look superb in terracotta pots on patios. This is particularly true if a yellow or orange camellia is chosen. Camellias like an acidic soil and some light shade. Keep them moist but never allow them to become water-logged. They can be expensive but as they are robust plants and not susceptible to disease, with a little care they can last for years.

Viburnum Davidii

Viburnum davidii is welcome in any temperate climate garden. This evergreen shrub bursts into bloom in early spring and its masses of creamy white flowers will cover the plant from top to bottom. The flowers are fragrant and sit along the upper side of layered branches. The pointed leaves hang downwards underneath them. Viburnum is easy to grow and can grow to treelike proportions. They are very versatile shrubs and grow best in full sun and well drained soil. They are tough plants and although they like moisture they can survive a spell of drought also. Viburnum is native to North America, Europe and parts of Asia but they will also do quite well in the temperate gardens in the Southern Hemisphere.

Winter can be drab and colorless, but with the right flowering climbers and flowering shrubs there is no reason for winter gardens and patios to be the same.