In our last post we talked about how to combine trees and plants with your artificial grass, but now that it's winter our plants feel the drop in temperature and respond by going dormant, waiting for better weather.
Conditions don't even need to be that extreme: most species already prepare with the first cold days of autumn by shedding their leaves, sacrificing their above-ground growth or simply stopping their activity.
But that doesn't mean there aren't plants to brighten up your garden in winter, whether because they choose this season to flower or because their bold fruits decide to decorate their branches. If you want to add some colour to this dull season, you can choose one of the following species, which not only withstand the cold but also look their best at this time of year.
Pansy
Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are often used as a seasonal plant. They are planted in autumn for a touch of colour, but it's in winter that they're at their peak, flowering non-stop and bringing new life to the garden.
They cope with the cold without any problems, but suffer once the heat arrives. It's best to cut them back then and wait for autumn for new growth.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is another seasonal plant that's a must in winter. Its flowers are usually white, pink or purple, and its leaves have a distinctive pattern on top. Plant it in early autumn in a partly shaded spot; it will do its job until spring.
Cyclamen can't cope with extreme cold, so it's often grown indoors too.
Almond tree
This list had to include a tree. The almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is also a great choice for taking on winter.
In February, long before spring arrives or even before its leaves appear, it covers its branches in spectacular blossom. It's the earliest-flowering fruit tree.
Pyracantha or firethorn
What Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) brings to winter isn't flowers but its fiery red, or sometimes orange, berries dotted along its branches.
In spring it also produces an abundance of very fragrant white flowers. It's an ideal shrub for an informal hedge, shielding the garden from prying eyes.
Laurustinus
Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) is a Mediterranean shrub that flowers in January and February, adding a much-needed cheerful touch with its small white flowers in clusters.
It works well on its own or as a living fence, carefully trimmed or left more informal. It's a versatile, hardy plant you should consider for your garden this season!