Carol Klein's Favourite Plants for Winter Containers

There’s nothing like a beautifully planted pot to bring life to the garden in late winter. Planted in early February and positioned near the back door, colourful containers give us something to focus on and appreciate, whatever the weather.

In late winter bulbs like snowdrops, daffodils and iris look delightful in small containers near the house, where their delicate beauty can be enjoyed from inside. But look further afield and there are many more planting options. The coloured stems of cornus and willow make the perfect foil for pot arrangements. Witch hazels (Hamamelis) and camellias flower beautifully in February. And, with its beautiful winter catkins, just a single hazel shrub can make a focal point.

More on winter containers:

• Colourful winter containers
• Choosing pots and containers
• Winter plants for pots

Discover Carol’s pick of the best plants for winter containers, below.

Not only will its graceful orbicular leaves grace any pot, but in January and February, its flowers will also be at their best. Choose plants with especially good markings or silver leaves.

Height x spread: 10cm x 10cm

South American sub-shrub akin to blueberries and whortleberries and, like them, requiring acid soil. Easy to cultivate and dependable. Will probably be full of berries when you buy it, but in future will need a male plant nearby.

H x S: 1m x 1m

There will be plenty of small iris, such as reticulata and histrioides irises, in pots in garden centres from February. They make vivid splashes of colour for a week or two, and you can plant them, pot and all, to add colour to your containers, but they need attention if they are to flower again next year. However, ‘Katharine