
Winter is here and with it a new collection of plants that make up our Winter Seasonal Outdoor plant collections.
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Ivy
Ivy is exceptionally undemanding and will survive the harshest of winters in the UK. The use of ivy at Christmas goes back thousands of years, some believed it had magical properties because of its ability to stay green all year round.
Euonymus
This tiny, tough evergreen shrub is native to Japan, Korea, and China. There are 175 varieties of euonymus - both evergreen and deciduous. It provides beautiful green shades all year round.
Picea
Also known as the white spruce, this evergreen conifer is a native to the boreal forest of North America. Although it's not the typical tree used to hang baubles off, this little spruce is sure to bring a Christmas tree vibe to your winter garden.
Hellebore
Otherwise known as the Christmas Rose, this beautiful plant comes in white and pink. Beware that this plant has roots that are irritants, and there are toxins in the leaves and flowers - use the gloves provided when planting, and keep away from children and pets.
Erica
This common heath is a colourful, low maintenance plant that will provide some much needed winter colour. They do prefer a full sun position and like most plants do not enjoy sitting in overly wet soil for too long. Cut back when blooms start to fade.
Brassica
Yes, it's an ornamental cabbage! Brassica thrives in very well-drained soil and they like a bit of sunshine. You won't need to water this plant very much at all - especially at this time of year. You will generally find that the colour of the leaves will brighten after the first frost.
Viola
These miniature violas are a wonderful splash of colour. They will temporarily stop flowering when there is snow or a frost, but will resume as soon as there's a warmer spell, and will flower prolifically in spring! In Victorian England, they were a symbol of love.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen give wonderful colour when there is not much colour to be seen and deadheading will help to ensure that they return. Do not overwater, as this can cause rotting. Technically a perennial, often treated as annual.
Primula
Also known as the English primrose, the primula is one of the earliest plants to flower in springtime. Enjoy the burst of colour the primula provides at this time of year when most other plants have lost their colour.
Gaultheria
The Gaultheria is sometimes known as the Checkberry plant. It's a sweet little evergreen shrub native of North America. The plant grows well in shady conditions that are relatively moist providing colourful winter berries (non-edible!) and leaves.