Winter Interest
These plants will give your garden great interest during the dull Winter months, whether through flowers, berries or evergreen foliage. We've carefully selected a few of our favourite plants for Winter interest, but if you wish to see our full range, please visit your local branch of Thompson's.
1. Skimmia japonica
Skimmia japonica is a compact, evergreen shrub admired for its glossy, aromatic foliage and year-round ornamental interest. In spring, it produces clusters of fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, while autumn brings bright red berries on female plants—provided a male variety is nearby for pollination. Its neat, rounded form and tolerance for shade make it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, containers, or foundation plantings. Low-maintenance and reliably attractive across the seasons, Skimmia japonica is a favourite for adding structure and subtle fragrance to shaded garden spaces.
2. Mahonia
Mahonia is an evergreen shrub prized for its bold, spiky foliage, architectural form, and early-season flowers. In late winter to early spring, it produces clusters of bright yellow, fragrant blooms that attract pollinators, followed by dark blue or black berries that add winter interest and feed birds. Hardy and adaptable, Mahonias tolerate shade and a range of soils, making them ideal for woodland gardens, borders, or as striking specimen plants. Their combination of texture, colour, and scent makes them a valuable and low-maintenance addition to the garden.
3. Ilex
Ilex, commonly known as holly, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy, spiky leaves and bright berries that provide year-round structure and vibrant winter interest. With male and female plants needed for berry production, hollies are especially prized for their festive red fruits that attract birds and add seasonal colour to the garden. They are hardy, adaptable to sun or partial shade, and useful in hedges, screens, or as architectural specimen plants. Whether grown for their classic winter display or their neat, formal shape, hollies bring dependable beauty to the landscape.
4. Jasminum Nudiflorum
Jasminum nudiflorum, commonly called winter jasmine, is a hardy, deciduous shrub cherished for its cheerful yellow flowers that appear on bare stems in late winter to early spring. Its bright blooms provide welcome colour during the coldest months, often flowering before many other plants wake from dormancy. Winter jasmine has a loose, arching habit that makes it ideal for training against walls, cascading over banks, or softening garden edges. Easy to grow and tolerant of a range of conditions, it is a reliable choice for adding early-season brightness to the garden.
5. Photinia Red Robin
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub valued for its vibrant, coppery-red new growth that gradually matures to glossy green leaves, providing striking year-round colour. In late spring, it produces clusters of small, white flowers that are followed by red berries, adding seasonal interest and attracting wildlife. Hardy and easy to grow, it thrives in sun or partial shade and is commonly used for hedging, screens, or as a feature plant. Its combination of colourful foliage, low maintenance, and versatility makes Red Robin a favourite in both formal and informal gardens.
