Plants for winter interest
1 Edgeworthia chrysantha
Native to woodlands in the Himalayas and China
Closely related to Daphne
Strong clove scented flowers on bare stems in late winter
Used in the far-east for production of high quality paper for many centuries
Plant in a sheltered spot
2 Lonicera fragrantissima
Flowers November – March, scented, easy, 5-6 foot shrub. Sun or semi shade
3 Mahonia ‘Charity’
Yellow scented flowers late winter. Sun or semi shade. 6 foot + evergreen
4 Sarcococca confusa
Small white scented flowers February . Sun or semi shade. 4-5 foot evergreen shrub
5 Iris unguicularis
Low growing perennial, evergreen leaves, large blue flowers all winter – sun
6 Hepatica nobilis
Very low growing, evergreen attractive foliage, bright blue flowers late winter/ early spring – shade
The woodland floor in the Pyrenees is covered in these lovely plants.
7 Cyclamen coum
Very low growing, attractive foliage, fink flowers late winter/ early spring – shade / semi shade
8 Arabis
9 Begenia cordifolia
10 Pulmonaria
11 Helleborus