Winter Spirit at Creepers

Winter is here but best of all it’s almost Christmas! If one is dwelling on potential Christmas or New Year’s presents, here are some suggestions of winter loving plants and plants that link to Christmas. Otherwise, for the dark and cold winter months, a splash of colour which could lift the spirit.

Mahonia x media ‘Charity’

A scented winter flowering evergreen, Mahonia is beneficial for bees during the cold months. The vibrant yellow brightens up the garden. Other variety includes Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ and Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Sweet Winter’.

Ilex aquifolium (Holly)

Holly is always associated with Christmas, popular for garlands and wreaths, the tree itself is evergreen and the red berries are favourite among birds. Holly is a popular choice as hedging.

Cyclamen

What better way to splash the garden with a multitude of colours than by having Cyclamen. They are hardy and come in as ‘sweet scented’ varieties.

                                                               

 

Helleborus

Hellebores are at their best in winter, and during Christmas it is most popular for planting in window boxes. The two shown here are Helleborus niger ‘Christmas Carol’ (white) and Helleborus ‘Christmas Angel’ (pink edged).

                                                               

 

Skimmia

Skimmia are dioecious plants, so skimmia either have male or female inflorescence, therefore for the female to have winter berries, male and female need to be planted alongside of each other. Skimmia japonica Rubella are female, and examples of male skimmia are Skimmia jap. Kew Green, Fragrant Cloud and White Globe. Most male flowers are white. The green and red buds are excellent for Christmas decoration.  These plants are acid soil loving plants, hence, to keep them green throughout, it is best to water them with collected rainwater.

                                                               

 

Camellia spp.

There are approximately 2000 varieties of Camellia with flower colour ranging from red, pink to white. They can be shape as standards, multi stems or bushes. Species includes Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua.

                                                               

 

Edgeworthia grandiflora

The Paperbush is sweet-scented plant that flowers in winter. They can be deciduous or evergreen, with light yellow flowers or bright orange on Edgeworthia gra. Red Dragon.

‘Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree’

As long as they are pine, they are suitable for use as a christmas tree. Best pines for Christmas trees include Abies spp., Picea spp., Pinus sylvestris, and Juniperus spp.

(All the plants shown are available at Creepers Ltd.)

Everyone at Creepers would like to wish you all a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year