Winter colour in pots

At this time of year garden centres are brimming with colourful annuals all begging to be taken home and planted to add bright, uplifting notes to the garden, patio, verandah or front porch. 
Filling an empty garden space can be expensive, but planting a few feature pots or a hanging basket with instant colour won’t break the bank. If you’re willing to wait a few weeks for the plants to grow and flower, buying seedlings in punnets is a cheaper option than purchasing advanced plants. Save even more money next year by starting seeds at home in autumn, ready for planting out at the start of winter, so you can fill both containers and garden beds with massed colour.  
Ready to colour up? Here are three of Jennifer’s favourite bright beauties:  

Hellebore (Helleborus spp. main image) Also called winter rose, this perennial provides a long flower display in pastel shades. Select tall-stemmed varieties such as ‘Anna’s Red’ and ‘Ivory Prince’ for pots and grow in part shade (or a location that’s sunny in winter). The patterned leaves look good for most of the year. 

Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ Grow this native evergreen dwarf shrub in a broad but shallow pot and its golden blooms will fill winter with colour. The flowers are also attractive to beneficial insects. Best in full sun. Trim off spent flowers. 

Primula (Primula malacoides) This is a dainty choice for shaded to part-shaded spots, with spires of flowers in white, mauve or pink surrounded by a small rosette of leaves. Primulas can self-seed to return for free next year. 

For more winter warmers pick up the July issue of ABC Gardening Australia magazine, on sale now!
Images: iStock, AB Bishop