The first signs of new growth, bring with them an array of exciting blooms to bring colour to your garden, from tiny gems to spectacular shrubs. Here, we share our favourites. There’s something for every space, whether you want a pot to brighten a patio or a statement shrub to bring years of pleasure. Our choices include recommendations from the Gardeners’ World team and familiar faces from across the gardening industry.
Find more February inspiration:
Loropetalum
Chosen by Nick Bailey, Gardeners’ World presenter
For fabulously cheery burgundy winter foliage, splashed with pink and white on varieties like ‘Jazz Hands’, you can’t beat this 1.5m tall shrub. It’s a great container specimen and has the bonus of eye-catching deep pink witch hazel-like blooms in the depths of winter.
Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’
Chosen by Sue Kent, Gardeners’ World presenter
I’ve always wanted a Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ and finally I bought one last year and put it in a pot by the front door. Its beautiful, highly scented pink flowers excite the senses ready for spring
Rhododendron dauricum
Chosen by Errol Reuben Fernandes, The Great Garden Revolution presenter
I love the deciduous rhododendrons, for me, they offer much more dynamic change through the season, are easier to combine with other plants and are often more tolerant of alkaline soils, such as mine in London, than the evergreens. The foliage of this medium sized shrub is small and aromatic when brushed against and in mid-winter it is covered in small purple flowers borne on silver branches. When frosted, the shrub appears to be sprinkled with candied violets.
Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
Chosen by Gynelle Leon, Prick Ltd founder
The tree philodendron adds so much tropical drama to a room. I enjoy running my hands over the large, glossy foliage every time I walk past, which grounds me and provides a quick connection with nature.
Crocus tommasinianus
Chosen by Emma Crawforth, horticultural editor
Crocus tommasinianus forms huge mauve carpets that look spectacular and attract early pollinators like bumblebees. All crocuses are such welcome signs of spring, but this reliable, early-flowering variety is the best for naturalising in lawns.
Forsythia
Chosen by Catherine Mansley, digital editor
Forsythia gets a bad press – gardeners dismiss it as municipal and boring because it is ubiquitous. But the reason for its ubiquity is that it’s reliable and easy to grow. Its vibrant (yes, maybe slightly garish) yellow flowers are like tiny rays of sun on cold, gloomy days.
Phlomis russeliana
Chosen by Oliver Parsons, horticultural sub-editor
This is a classic summer plant but I love it for its weird seedheads in winter. They have a fantastic silhouette in low, winter light, and are held in a way that I can only liken as follows: perfectly spaced mushrooms on a kebab stick. I did say they were weird!
Snowdrops
Chosen by Miranda Janatka, senior content creator
There are so many wonderful snowdrops to enjoy, but you are likely to spot Galanthus ‘Nivalis’ popping up in gardens and woodlands, or even rural roadsides. The plants either self-seed or are planted around by those who really adore them. The delicate flowers have pretty green markings and are best viewed from the ground up.
Hazel
Chosen by Lily Middleton, content creator
Hazel has to be my February pick, mainly due to it’s wonderful catkins which I’ve only recently started to admire. These long, yellow, flower clusters are lovely sight before our gardens burst into the spring.
