Hardy shrubs that bloom in winter are a wonderful investment, performing year after year to cheer the dark, gloomy, winter days. Winter flowers can be a lifeline for bees and other pollinators during mild spells, and most of the plants on our list are pollinator friendly. Some have a compact growing habit and are perfect for pots to brighten patios and soil-less spots, while others grow large and need to be sited in garden borders or as single specimens. While most of our chosen winter-flowering shrubs are tough and hardy to grow in the UK, there are several that need nurturing in a sunny spot, protected from cold winds. As always, choosing the right plant for the right place is key to success.
Best winter flowering evergreen shrubsMahonia
Mahonia bears long racemes of bright yellow flowers with a lovely lily-of-the-valley fragrance, from mid- to late winter. Most mahonias, such as the popular variety ‘Charity’ and Mahonia japonica, have large, architectural, pinnate leaves with spiny tips and are borne on tall, sturdy stems up to 3m high, though a new variety ‘Soft Caress’ (Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis ‘Soft Caress’) is spine-free and much more compact, to 1m high.
Height x Spread: variable
Buy Mahonia ‘Soft caress’ from DobiesViburnum tinus
Viburnum tinus bears clusters of white flowers that are pink in bud, produced for months through winter. The blooms contrast well with the dark, evergreen, oval leaves. Hardy and easy to grow, this is a popular choice for screening and informal hedges as well as for borders. Varieties include compact growing ‘Eve Price’, and ‘Gwenillan’ that has a deeper pink flush. Grow in sun or part shade.
H x S: 3m x -2m
Buy Viburnum tinus from SuttonsWinter jasmine (Jasminum Read more on gardenersworld.com