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Callicarpa
 You can't talk about winter garden colour without including one of the stalwarts of this season, virburnum. No winter garden would be complete without one example of this attractive and versatile genus, which has both evergreen and deciduous varieties to choose from. Most will make quite large shrubs, so choose a site carefully before deciding where to plant. For late winter colour include an old favourite such as Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'. This produces broad flowerheads of clustered white blooms, opening from pink buds above a foil of rich green, glossy leaves. In contrast, the pink tubular flowers of Viburnum farreri are produced on bare woody stems in tight bunches from late autumn well into winter. There they happily dispense their heady perfume into the cool air. Another favourite for a late summer display is Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn', whose dainty groups of pink flowers festoon bare twigs. They produce a heavenly scent, beckoning you to make a closer inspection. These late winter flowerers will often continue blooming into the spring months. |
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Gaultheria
 If you were under the impression that honeysuckles were purely for the summer months, these fragrant beauties are likely to change your mind. Although small, the flared, creamy white flowers of Lonicera standishii adorn the usually bare stems during late autumn and then into winter. This is a shrub that will stop you in your tracks at 50 paces with a mere hint of its glorious scent. A similar looking shrub is the well-named Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty', for its flowers open in winter but continue to delight well into early spring. Another honeysuckle cashing in on its perfumed flowers is Lonicera fragrantissima. Pairs of two-lipped white blooms burst out from the leaf bases throughout the winter, although the stems remain bare. For a really good display, try growing it against a wall to both maximise flower production and to ensure the air is filled with the delicate yet permeating fragrance. |
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Holly
 The usually bare twigs and branches of witch hazel, Hamamelis, come alive in winter with clusters of delicate spidery flowers. According to the species or variety grown, petal colours range from pale yellow of Hamamelis x intermedia 'Sunburst', through to the deep mahogany red of Hamamelis intermedia 'Diane'. Even on the coldest of days, the seemingly fragile flowers are able to remain unblemished by the damaging effects of the inclement weather. The flowers have another endearing attribute, they are sweetly fragrant. On cool still days their scent can easily be detected some way away from the plant and will always encourage a closer inspection. Hamamelis are quite slow growing and make relatively small shrubs or trees. They are excellent subjects for the border or large containers where they will give many years of enjoyment. Hamamelis mollis 'Goldcrest' has large yellow flowers with red-splashed bases. |
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Daphne
 Not all winter colour is bright and highly visible. Some can be quite subtle in their display like that of winter box, Sarcococca. Clothed with dark green leathery leaves, the long-whippy stems of hardy Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna sport tufts of white sparkler-like blooms along their length. These tough plants will tolerate less that perfect growing conditions and will still repay with healthy foliage and flowers. Sarcococcas can often be overlooked if not planted in prominent positions where their delicate flowers can be easily spotted. However, no matter where they are situated, their delicious perfume will sooner or later give them away. Follow your nose and you will be rewarded with winter gems that are worthy of a spot in every garden. |
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Wintersweet
 With its curtains of dangling silver tassles, Garrya elliptica is a real star among winter-flowering shrubs and trees. Whether free standing or trained against a wall, it nevers fails to impress with its long lasting show. Male and female catkins are borne on separate plants and both provide winter interest. But it is the male plants that put on the best displays.
In a light breeze the long male catkins, which can reach 20cm (8in) and longer in the case of 'James Roof', swing to and fro giving gentle movements to the garden. Coupled with tough, leathery, evergreen leaves, this makes garrya a dependable shrub that will tolerate life in coastal gardens too. |
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