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One particularly grey July morning, I noticed my old hellebore pushing out the most exquisite dusky pink bloom. No fanfare. No applause. Just quietly showing off.
That’s when I realised winter isn’t empty. It’s elegant. Winter gardens aren’t loud. They’re layered. Textural. Thoughtful.
A glossy camellia here, a hellebore quietly stealing the show beneath bare branches. Once you start planting for winter, you realise the cold months might just be the most beautiful of all.
Editor’s picks for the best gardening reads
No-Waste Kitchen Gardening by Katie Elzer-Peters
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Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening by Alessandro Vitale
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Thrifty Gardening by Country Women’s Association Victoria
$24.99 at Qbd
What are the best flowers for a winter garden?
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1. Hellebores
If you want a gorgeous winter garden, start with hellebores. They’re the understated heroes. Their flowers nod gently, like they’re in on a secret, in shades of plum, cream, blush and near-black.
Tuck them into dappled shade under deciduous trees or along a path where you can admire them up close. They love rich, well-drained soil and a layer of mulch to keep their roots cool.
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2. Camellias
Camellias are another winter show stopper. Big, glossy leaves all year, then bang! Perfect rose-like blooms when everything else is asleep.
I’ve planted them along a fence line where their deep green foliage makes the whole garden feel structured and lush, even in the coldest months.
They prefer slightly acidic soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun. Keep the water up while they’re forming buds, and they’ll reward you tenfold.
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3. Snapdragons and Stocks
Then there are snapdragons and stocks. Both bring height and scent to a winter garden, which feels like a small miracle.
Plant a variety of flowers to keep your garden lush and colourful through the seasons. (Credit: Adobe )
Stocks, especially, have that old-fashioned perfume that stops you mid-step. Plant them near windows or outdoor seating so you catch that fragrance on still afternoons. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
(Credit: Adobe)
4. Cyclamen
Cyclamens are perfect for shaded corners. Their marbled leaves are almost as beautiful as the flowers, which hover like butterflies in whites, pinks and reds.
I like nestling them beneath shrubs where little else is happening. They enjoy protection from heavy rain and soggy soil, so drainage is key.
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5. Sweet Peas
And if you’ve got a sunny fence or trellis, sow sweet peas in late autumn.
By winter’s end, they’ll be climbing, and early spring will bring the most delicate, sweetly scented blooms you’ve ever buried your nose into.
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