Gardeners urged to plant 5 flowers to add burst of colour to your winter garden

Winter is infamous for sapping the life from any thriving garden owing to bitter temperatures, restricted daylight, and heavy rainfall.

It's a good thing this isn't always the case. Specific plants and flowers thrive during the winter months, giving your garden a colourful makeover even amid winter's most brutal spells.

With that in mind, Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of Gardeners Dream, has shared five flowers you should plant right now.

Craig 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."

Pansies

Craig said: "Planting pansy seeds now 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."

Violas

The expert revealed: "Violas are a stunning addition to your garden during the chillier months, boasting 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 cultivate them in bedding or pots, and position in any area of your garden where you fancy a bit more colour."

Snowdrops

"Snowdrops can be among the first winter flowers to bloom if you plant them between now and late autumn," Craig added.

"Snowdrops are robust and hardy plants that cope well with frost and snow, making for a joyful 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 advised: "This hardy tuberous perennial offers a delightful 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 just around the corner."

Carex morrowii

Finally, Craig declared: "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."