3 hours Ago By [email protected] (Nicola Roy)
Even the most advanced gardeners will know that the winter months can spell disaster for your plants. Trees, flowers and shrubs can really suffer during the winter time, often requiring a good bit of work to make them last until the spring time again. However, if you're keen to introduce some plants that can withstand the cooler climes and thrive all winter long, there are a few options that are perfect for the UK winter.
READ MORE: 'I'm a lawn expert - here's how to winterproof your grass so it bounces back in spring' Gardening experts at Homegrown Garden Centre have lifted the lid on five 'hard to kill' plants that could be worth picking up. Described as 'easy-care plants that do the work for you', here is a list of the expert-recommended pieces of greenery, as reported by the Express . Pyracantha is a pretty shrub with attractive flowers and magnificent red, yellow or orange berries in autumn and winter.
Often found growing up against a wall or a fence, it makes an excellent evergreen hedge and can withstand the colder winter temperatures. It also provides colour across the seasons, with white blossom in spring, dense green leaves, and a bounty of vibrant berries in a choice of yellows, oranges or reds. Known as the beauty berry, Callicarpa bears dense clusters of small, jewel-like, purple-blue berries, against bare stems.
Its dark green foliage also puts on a good show in autumn, turning golden and red before falling. Callicarpas are medium-sized shrubs and look good in a mixed border, or planted as a specimen near a path or window. Also known as the 'smoke tree', this specimen has rounded, deep purple leaves which become redder in autumn and large, feathery and pink in summer.
Shrubs come in all sizes and can be used as focal points, hedges, ground cover, backdrops and more. Many shrubs are great for wildlife, providing valuable food and shelter, which is extra important during the winter. Part of the Rhododendron family, Japanese Azaleas boast beautiful big flowers in the spring, but they can still thrive during the winter.
They're known as 'semi-evergreen' as they produce small green flowers during the colder months that are then replaced in the spring. This makes the Japanese azalea a great decorative garden plant even in winter. Finally, this plant - another shrub - is a great option to add into your garden this winter.
Also known at the burning bush, this plant really comes into its own during the colder months, with its leaves turning a vibrant strawberry red. It's a popular choice for this time of year as the plant is tough and versatile, meaning it can survive all the way until spring. If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here.
