I’m a Gardening Pro – 5 Flowers to Plant Now for Colorful Blooms in Winter
THE COLD MONTHS tends to drain any color from our garden.
As plants become dormant, our gardens can lack character, but not anymore.
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A garden expert has shared the five flowers you can plant now for colorful winter blooms.
Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of Gardeners Dream said: “Although winter gardens or landscapes can be serene and picturesque when frost arrives, a garden with little to no color can be somewhat disheartening to see, especially if you are someone who has a lot of time on your hands. spent the entire summer putting together a colorful space full of life.
“Fortunately, there are several plants and flowers that bloom during the colder months of the year, bringing a pop of color to even the dullest winter gardens.
“If you plan these five options now, you will have a winter garden that is worth admiring – of course from the warmth inside.”
Violets
Planting pansies before the weekend is over will ensure their roots are strong and well established.
This allows them to flower and bloom before winter arrives. There are lots of colors to choose from and these can be purchased from B&Q for £1.54.
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Violas
The garden expert explains: “Violas are a beautiful addition to your garden during the colder months of the year, providing bright flowers that bloom all winter long.
Standard varieties should be planted in spring, but winter varieties can be potted now for a pop of color.
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Snowdrops
These beautiful flowers can be among the first to bloom if you plant them now until late autumn.
“Even if the ground is cold and semi-frozen, snowdrops can push through, so no need for frost protection,” says Craig.
You can also buy them from your weekly shop at Sainsbury’s for just £3.
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Cyclamen
These flowers often come in shades of pink and purple and will bloom in late winter when most other flowers are ready for the season.
It is best to plant them now until the end of October. When they bloom, it is the first sign that spring is not far away.
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Carex morgenii
Finally, Craig said: “Carex morrowii is an evergreen sedge. It is a popular ornamental grass with green leaves with yellow edges, making it perfect for adding some winter flair to your garden.”
These can be planted at any time as long as the soil is not frozen as long as they are planted in sunlight.
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Garden work in October
Veronica Lorraine, garden editor for The Sun, has shared the jobs you need to tackle this October.
“It’s a good time to prune deciduous hedges – such as boxwood, yew, hawthorn, hornbeam and beech – and hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leaf mold – collect all fallen leaves and fill garbage bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, poke a few small holes in the bag and store for a year or more. Free compost!
You’re unlikely to get any more red tomatoes, so harvest one more time and throw the plants into the compost. See if you can ripen the green ones by putting a drawer in them (some say with a banana). Also save the seeds from a pair – and plant them again next year if all went well.
Finish bringing in your spring bulbs. Ideally you would have planted daffodils and alliums, but tulips are better in the open ground when the soil temperature becomes a bit colder.
It is good to leave some plant waste in the ground; this adds nutrients as it rots, providing shelter and food for insects. But remove the dingy brown bits that are collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but also keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter comfort to your outdoor space.
October is a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans and rhubarb.”
