Winter is typically seen as a time when gardens are lacking colour, however, this doesn't have to be the case. (Image: (Image: Getty))

5 flowers to plant now that will add a pop of colour to your garden this winter

With winter fast approaching, gardeners are being urged to plant flowers now to ensure a colourful garden even when the temperatures plummet and the days are shorter

by · DevonLive

Despite the frosty temperatures, lack of sunshine, and frequent downpours that winter is notorious for, your garden can still burst with life and colour during the colder months.

Some plants and flowers are made to withstand the chill and even thrive in it, ensuring your garden remains a vibrant oasis even during the harshest winter days. With a 67% spike in 'winter garden' searches over the past three months, Craig Wilson, the gardening guru and founder of Gardeners Dream, has revealed his top five flowers to plant right now, reports the Express.

Graig said: "Whilst winter gardens or landscapes can be serene and picturesque when the frosts arrive, a garden with little to no colour can be somewhat disheartening to view, especially if you are someone who has spent all summer curating a colourful space full of life."

"Thankfully, there are several plants and flowers that flourish during the colder months of the year, adding a pop of colour to even the dullest of winter gardens. Planting these five options now will provide you with a winter garden worth admiring - from the warmth of the indoors, of course."

The quintet of flowers to get in the ground now for a dazzling display this winter includes:

Pansies:

Craig said: "Planting pansy seeds now- and no later than early October - will give them plenty of time to establish strong and sturdy roots, ready for them to flower just before the coldest weather arrives. Pansies are the perfect antidote to a drab winter garden, offering a vibrant palette of colours including purple, orange, pink and red.

You can still have splashes of colour in your garden over the winter(Image: (Image: Getty))

Violas:

The gardening expert said: "Violas are a beautiful addition to your garden during the colder part of the year, offering bright flowers that bloom throughout the winter. While standard varieties should be planted as seedlings during the spring, winter varieties can be planted now and throughout winter.

"You can grow them in bedding or pots, and position in any area of your garden where you'd like a little more colour."

Snowdrops:

Craig said: "Snowdrops can be some of the first winter flowers to bloom if you plant them between now and late autumn. Snowdrops are tough and hardy plants that cope well with frost and snow, making for a cheerful sight when they are seen poking through picturesque blankets of snow.

"Even when the ground is cold and semi-frozen, snowdrops can push through, so frost protection is not necessary. "

Cyclamen

The expert said: "This hardy tuberous perennial offers a pleasant pop of colour in late winter, often when little else is flowering. To get the best out of these flowers, plant tubers between now and the end of October.

"When they bloom you'll have beautiful bursts of pink or white heart-shaped flowers, signalling that spring is not too far away."

Carex morrowii

Finally, Craig added: "Carex morrowii is an evergreen sedge. It is a popular ornamental grass that has green leaves with yellow edges, making it perfect for adding some winter interest to your garden.

"As long as the ground is not frozen, you can plant carex morrowii at any point during the colder part of the year. They don't like shaded areas, so when planting, ensure you are positioning it in an area of your garden that is likely to benefit the most from the winter sun."