Containers: winter selection

Our top 5 plants for winter containers:

There is a huge selection of shrubs, herbaceous plants, bedding and bulbs

These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes. to choose from. Although these plants are not as flamboyant as those used in summer containers, you can still make a statement with careful plant selection.

• Remember that plants grow very little in winter so make sure you start with good-sized plants and use sufficient numbers of plants for the size of container to make an impact from the start
• Position your container where it will get as much light as possible during the winter months to ensure plant foliage remains green and healthy
• Water containers carefully in winter, making sure you check the compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. regularly as it can soon dry out in mild spells. Smaller plants are more susceptible to over- or underwatering
• It is not necessary to feed container plants during the winter
• Raise containers off the ground on pot feet or bricks to aid drainage and help prevent the freezing conditions that cause pots to crack
• Choose frost-proof terracotta or containers made of plastic, fibreglass or wood. Bubble wrap containers in severe weather to reduce damage to plant roots

• Winter bedding plants
  Bedding plants are usually colourful half-hardy, short-lived or annual plants, grown for displays in beds or containers. They may be changed seasonally, with spring, summer and winter bedding displays each using different plants of appropriate hardiness and flowering times. : these mainly flower in spring, but cyclamen, winter-flowering pansy, viola, primula and polyanthus will flower intermittently during mild spells in winter. The following can also be used: forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), large-flowered bedding daisies (Bellis perennis), wallflowers (Erysimium), Cyclamen persicum(not hardy but will usually last until the new year in a sheltered location)
• Evergreen shrubs: these retain their green leaves through winter and make a good focal point in a large container, or can be mixed with other dwarf shrubs for a variety of foliage and flowers and berries. Try box (Buxussempervirens), bay (Laurus nobilis), skimmia, euonymus, ivy (Hedera) or Gaultheria mucronata varieties. Ornamental cabbage and kale provide additional foliage interest.
• Bulbs
  These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes. : into newly-purchased containers or hanging baskets, consider planting bulbs for additional spring flowers. When you change to a summer display, the bulbs can be planted in the ground to flower the following spring. Try Narcissus, Muscari, Tulipa or Iris
• Hardy evergreen ferns: use hart's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), common polypody (Polypodium vulgare) and soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) in containers for shady positions
• Herbaceous plants:Heuchera are an excellent choice for their evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage in green or rich plum shades, some with exquisite markings
• Grasses: small evergreen ornamental grasses, such as Carex, combine well with winter bedding to give height and a contrast in texture
• Herbs: use those that are evergreen perennials
  Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs. like rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender and curry plant. All prefer a sunny position. Click here for more information on herbs in containers

Links

10 AGM perennials for containers
RHS Find a Plant