This time of year can be tough for gardeners up and down the UK. As well as darker and colder days, we see more periods of heavy rain which can cause damage to plants and make gardening conditions tough.
With this in mind, it’s important to consider certain plants which can thrive in wintery conditions and add some much-needed colour to our outdoor spaces. Experts have recommended a particular plant which flowers in cold conditions and is perfect to brighten up the darkest of winter days. Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, said: “Winter is a great time to enjoy your garden and with the right plants, pots can still look colourful and inviting all through the colder months.”
As reported by Ideal Home, cyclamen are ideal to grow in the colder months as they thrive when temperatures drop. The hardy perennials can be left outside in chilly weather and cope well in shady spots.
Gardener Charlotte said: “Cyclamen is another winter-flowering plant with charming, delicate petals that come in a variety of pinks, reds and whites. These graceful blooms add a cheerful pop of colour and are ideal for brightening up window boxes or seasonal containers by the front door, providing beauty that lasts throughout the season.”
Fellow gardener Julian added: “You can also brighten up shady corners and doorways with cyclamen, which boast small, butterfly-shaped flowers and marbled leaves that will add interest to winter pots even when not in flower, and they thrive in frost-free spots.”
Some versions of the plant, such as cyclamen coum and cyclamen hederifolium, can survive in tougher outdoor conditions. They may even cope with frosts which damage other varieties of flower.
Cyclamen tend to prefer shady conditions, meaning they work well under trees or in areas which lack sunlight. This makes them perfect for winter when we get less sunlight.
Elliott Beveridge, a Head Gardener at a private estate in the south of England, explained: “Hardy cyclamen can give you interest through the cold, dark winter months if placed in pots outside.”
However, it’s important to have good drainage during periods of particularly wet weather. Gardeners also advise using mulch around the plants to give them extra protection.
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