There are many different types of plants that can bring colour and texture to your garden during the winter months. Here are just some of our gardeners' favourites.
Perhaps the best known of the winter flowers, snowdrops are thought to have been introduced to British gardens in the late 15th century from mainland Europe. They flower between January and March.
Despite being native to the Mediterranean region, cyclamen thrive in the British Isles as garden plants. Growers have selectively bred the wild species to produce a range of colourful and shapely varieties.
Crocuses are a popular sight during winter and can be planted in containers or in small groups in garden borders. For the full wild effect, they are best planted in drifts under trees.
The brilliant yellow, buttercup-like flowers of Eranthis hyemalis sit within a perfect rosette of green sepals. Like many winter-flowering plants, the leaves appear later.
The clue is in the name. This small group of plants is related to asparagus and their flowers have a wonderful blue tone, especially when set against a snowy background.
Despite the common name of winter rose, hellebores are members of the buttercup family. They flower all the way through winter from late November onwards and their colours range from pure white to dark purple.