Winter-flowering beauties

While many favourite non-native plants such as roses, dahlias and hydrangeas take time out during winter, others are stepping up to put on a show, like the winter rose (Helleborus spp.) and winter daphne (Daphne odora).

Winter rose (Helleborus spp. and hybrids)
The delightful cup-shaped winter flowers of these small, evergreen herbaceous perennials are what make this plant a firm favourite. There’s a diversity of colours, including shades of pink, purple, white and green, with double and speckled forms. Hellebores (pictured above) won’t tolerate afternoon sun, and they perform best under deciduous trees or evergreens with light foliage that provide dappled light. They are low maintenance and thrive in well-drained fertile soil. Growing 40–60cm high and 40–60cm wide, they suit cool temperate, warm temperate and semi-arid climates.

Winter daphne (Daphne odora)
Growing 1m tall and wide, this shrub has glossy mid-green leaves (a variegated form has cream edges) that become smothered in clusters of pink buds. These open into white to pink starry flowers with a strong perfume that wafts around the garden. Red berries follow. Plant it close to a window or door. It prefers a cool temperate to warm temperate climate.

Winter jasmine (jasminum nudiflorum)

Prized for its profusion of brilliant yellow flowers, this deciduous shrub is named yingchun in its native China, which means ‘the flower that welcomes spring’. Blooms are dotted along willowy leafless branches before its green trifoliate leaves appear. It can be clipped into a semi-formal hedge, be trained as a vine, or sprawl down embankments or retaining walls. It thrives in reasonably fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to semi-shade. Growing 1.2–3m high, it suits subtropical, semi-arid, warm temperate and cool temperate climates.

Header image credit: iStock