As summer colour begins to fade, it certainly doesn’t mean the garden has to become dull. Autumn is the perfect time to refresh pots, borders and baskets with plants that will bring colour, structure and interest through the colder months.
From cheerful flowers to evergreen foliage and colourful berries, there are plenty of ways to keep the garden looking inviting right through autumn and winter.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen are one of the easiest ways to add an instant splash of colour at this time of year. Their delicate flowers sit above attractive patterned foliage and are ideal for pots, containers and sheltered areas of the garden.
Hardy cyclamen are particularly useful for adding colour beneath trees and shrubs, where they can naturalise and return year after year.
Pansies and Violas
A real autumn and winter favourite, pansies and violas are brilliant for filling pots, window boxes and hanging baskets.
They cope well with cooler weather and can continue flowering through much of the winter, particularly during milder spells. Regular deadheading will encourage them to keep producing fresh flowers.
Skimmia
For something with year-round structure, Skimmia is a fantastic choice. Its glossy evergreen foliage looks good throughout the seasons, while clusters of flower buds provide colour during autumn and winter before opening into fragrant flowers in spring.
Some female varieties also produce striking red berries when planted with a suitable male pollinator, making them especially attractive during winter.
Skimmia are happiest in partial shade and work beautifully in both borders and containers.
Hellebores
Often known as the Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose, hellebores are stars of the winter garden.
Depending on the variety, they can begin flowering from late autumn and continue through winter into early spring, producing elegant flowers in shades of white, pink, purple and green.
Winter Heather
Winter-flowering heathers are fantastic for adding low-growing colour when many other plants are resting.
Their small flowers can appear in pink, purple and white, providing valuable colour from autumn through winter. They are also a useful source of nectar for pollinators venturing out during milder winter days.
Viburnum
Viburnums are a great choice for adding seasonal interest to the garden, with many types offering attractive evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, clusters of flowers and, in some cases, colourful berries.
They’re useful for adding structure to borders and can help keep the garden looking full and interesting through the colder months. Depending on type, flowering can begin from late winter into spring, making them a lovely bridge between the winter garden and the start of the new season.
Sarcococca
Sometimes called Christmas Box, Sarcococca may have small flowers, but it certainly makes up for their size with fragrance.
This evergreen shrub produces wonderfully scented white flowers during winter and is an excellent choice for shady areas. Try planting it close to a door or pathway where its fragrance can really be appreciated.
Don’t Forget Foliage and Berries
A winter garden doesn’t have to rely entirely on flowers. Evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses, Heucheras and plants with colourful stems or berries can all help create interest when flowering plants are less plentiful.
Combining different textures, foliage colours and flowering plants will give your garden much more impact throughout the colder months.
Give Your Garden Some Winter Colour
Autumn is a brilliant time to get planting while the soil is still warm and there is usually more natural rainfall to help new plants establish.
We have plenty of seasonal plants arriving at Brick Kiln Garden Centre, perfect for refreshing pots, borders and baskets and creating a garden that still has plenty to enjoy throughout autumn and winter.
Come and have a browse and start planning your winter garden. 🌿
