Top Picks for December Gardening: Suggestions from Leading Horticulturists
Bringing Colour and Structure to Winter Gardens
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many gardens may seem to lose their vibrancy. However, there are a number of plants that can bring colour and structure to a garden in December.
Pansies, thriving in cooler temperatures (40°F to 60°F) and ideally suited for winter colour, are a great choice for partial sun or shade. Their bright blooms add a splash of colour to the garden during these colder months.
Dahlias can last until December in milder climates, provided temperatures stay above 35°F. These plants, originating from Mexico and South America, bring rich colours to the garden with their vibrant blooms.
Asters are hardy perennials that bloom in vivid blues, pinks, and other colours, lasting into late fall and December. They are known for their hardiness and versatility.
Hellebores, also known as Christmas roses, are evergreen perennials that flower in late winter and early spring. They offer a range of colours from white to black shades, adding structure and winter interest especially in shaded gardens.
Christmas cactus is a popular houseplant, known for its bright flowers during dark winter days, symbolising hope and renewal.
In addition to flowers, winter vegetables like kale, spinach, and carrots add structure and greenery to a garden in December, focusing more on foliage than flowers.
For shade gardens specifically, hellebores are especially recommended for winter flowering and structural interest with their evergreen foliage.
Summary Table:
| Plant | Color / Structure | Season | Notes | |-------------------|--------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------| | Pansies | Bright flowers | Fall to early winter | Prefer 40°F-60°F, partial sun | | Dahlias | Vibrant blooms | Late summer to December | Sensitive to frost (<35°F) | | Asters | Blue, pink flowers | Late summer to late fall | Hardy and versatile | | Hellebores | Varied flowers | Late winter to early spring| Evergreen, good for shade | | Christmas cactus | Colorful flowers | December (indoor) | Requires specific care to bloom |
These options provide both colour and garden structure during December, helping maintain seasonal interest even in colder months.
Among the ornamental plants, there are several that also bring colour and structure to the garden in winter.
'Miscanthus sinensis' 'Morning Light' is a subtly variegated grass that makes an upright fountain of foliage during the summer. As summer colours dissolve in winter, the beauty of decay comes to the fore and browns become more important in the garden for 'Miscanthus sinensis' 'Morning Light'.
'Mahonia x media' 'Winter Sun' is in bloom in winter, producing dense clusters of ascending flower spikes, each composed of small, bright-yellow blooms. However, Mahonias can become a little ungainly and need to be pruned to prevent them from getting too willowy.
'Hippeastrum' 'Grand Diva' originates from garden origin and produces huge, vivid-red, funnel-shaped flowers. It is in bloom in late winter into early spring and is suitable for any soil.
'Hamamelis x intermedia' 'Jelena' is a hybrid witch hazel that can come into flower as early as December and has dainty, ribbon-petaled flowers of yellow suffused with burnt orange. It is in bloom in autumn and winter and is suitable for any soil, neutral to acidic, not water logged.
'Cymbidium' hybrids are in bloom in winter into early spring and have large flowers, held on arching spikes, that last over two months. They are suitable for specialist orchid compost and overwinter inside; dappled shade outside.
'Camellia x vernalis' 'Yuletide' is in bloom in winter and has brilliant-red flowers, each with a golden central boss. It is a hardy plant, suitable for any acidic soil and reaches a height of 2.5m.
'Picea orientalis' produces little vignettes of sumptuous, white flowers, each blossom centred with a cluster of golden stamens. It is a small tree, reaching a height of 25cm, and is suitable for any soil that does not sit wet; shade is suitable for it.
'Stachyurus praecox' var. 'matsuzakii' 'Issai' is a deciduous shrub that has subtle caramel tones in its autumn foliage that lasts into December. Any soil is suitable for this plant.
'Heuchera sanguinea' 'Geisha's Fan' is a robust cultivar with mounds of purple-and-grey marbled foliage, persisting well into the winter. It prefers any soil.
'Narcissus papyraceus' has glistening white, tazetta blooms that produce a very powerful scent. It is in bloom in late winter into early spring and reaches a height of 40cm.
'Salix irrorata' is a fast and strong-growing willow that stands out from the fiery crowd thanks to its blue-white stem. Any soil is suitable for this plant.
'Hamamelis x *intermedia' 'Robert' is a hybrid witch hazel that can come into flower as early as December and has apricot petals. It is suitable for any soil.
'*Panicum virgatum' 'Kupferhirse' is a grass that adds texture and delicacy to a border in summer, but its tones are exquisite in winter as the foliage begins to dry and become brittle. Any soil is suitable for this plant.
'Hamamelis x *intermedia' 'Jelena' reaches a height of 4m and is in bloom in autumn and winter.
'*Camellia sasanqua' 'Crimson King' is an early flowering species of camellia that has single, crimson-red flowers. It is suitable for any good, acidic soil and reaches a height of 2.5m.
'Cymbidium' hybrids have RHS H1A hardiness and are suitable for USDA zones 5a-10b.
'Miscanthus sinensis' 'Morning Light' reaches a height of 1.5m and has RHS H5 hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 5a-9b.
'Hamamelis x intermedia' 'Jelena' has RHS H5 hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 5a-8b.
'Camellia x vernalis' 'Yuletide' reaches a height of 2.5m and has RHS H5 hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 6b-10b.
'Picea orientalis' has RHS H7 hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 5a-9b.
'*Stachyurus praecox' var. 'matsuzakii' 'Issai' has RHS H6 hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 5a-9b.
'*Heuchera sanguinea' 'Geisha's Fan' is hardy to RHS H6, suitable for USDA zones 4a-9b.
'Narcissus papyraceus' has RHS H4 hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 4a-8b.
'Hippeastrum' 'Grand Diva' has RHS H1B hardiness, suitable for USDA zones 8a-11b.
'*Betula albosinensis' 'Bowling Green' is a birch tree with a white trunk that peels away to reveal a cinnamon coloration in winter. Any soil is suitable for this tree.
'*Iris unguicularis' 'Mary Barnard' is a species of December flowering iris that is surprisingly tolerant of poor, sun-baked positions. Any soil is suitable for this plant.
'Mahonia x media' 'Winter Sun' originates from garden origin and has a height of 3m.
'Hamamelis x intermedia' 'Jelena' originates from garden origin and produces dainty, ribbon-petaled flowers of yellow suffused with burnt orange.
'Hippeastrum' 'Grand Diva' originates from garden origin.
'Camellia x vernalis' 'Yuletide' originates from garden origin.
'Cymbidium' hybrids and 'Picea orientalis' also originate from garden origin.
- Winter gardens can be enlivened with fashion-and-beauty choices, such as arranging flowers from the plants mentioned above in vases or integrating them into home-and-garden decorations.
- Gardening during winter can offer a unique opportunity for relationship-building, as couples or families can work together to plant and nurture their winter garden.
- Pets, especially dogs, can enjoy the exploration and stimulation provided by a well-planned winter garden, with its diverse array of plants and textures.
- For food-and-drink enthusiasts, winter gardening extends beyond flowers to vegetables, offering opportunities for home-grown ingredients in dishes, drinks, and even greenery arrangements.
- Travelers wishing to find inspiration for their own winter gardens might consider visiting homes-and-gardens showcasing beautiful winter gardens, such as famous estates or botanical gardens.
- Car aficionados can make their vehicles stand out in a winter garden setting with strategic placement of vibrant flowers or unusual plants, adding a touch of uniqueness and color to their vehicles.
- Shopping for winter garden supplies can be an enjoyable experience, with a variety of plants, tools, and accessories available to create a stunning winter landscape.
