Winter Containers: What To Plant For Colour, Texture And Interest

The trick is not to rely on flowers alone. Evergreen shape, interesting foliage and a few carefully chosen seasonal plants will give you something to enjoy now, with plenty to look forward to when spring arrives.

Start with the plant that will hold everything together

Choose one evergreen to give your display its shape. A compact yew, a small holly or a neatly clipped box can make a good centrepiece, provided it suits the size of the pot and the conditions. 

Skimmia works well in many sheltered positions and variegated euonymus can brighten a darker corner.

Don’t be tempted to squeeze in a shrub that will soon outgrow its home - check its mature size and allow room for the roots. A simple arrangement with one strong evergreen and lower planting around it often looks better than a pot packed with competing plants.

Add flowers, foliage and a little movement

Hellebores are lovely where you can see their nodding flowers up close, particularly near a doorway or seating area. Winter violas and pansies add colour during milder spells, while ivy softens the edge of a container. Small grasses or fine-leaved foliage can bring movement on breezy days.

For a pleasing combination, try limiting the palette to two or three colours. Deep green foliage, a little silver and white flowers can feel fresh right through winter. Heuchera with burgundy leaves and pale hellebores are another good pairing, especially against weathered stone or zinc.

Three winter container combinations worth trying

• For a welcoming front door: compact evergreen, white hellebores and trailing ivy.
• For a bright terrace: variegated euonymus, winter violas and small spring bulbs beneath the surface.
• For a more natural look: a compact conifer or grass, low-growing evergreen foliage and bulbs ready to emerge in February or March.

Choose the right pot and position

Agriframes’ galvanised Zinc Planters are a great choice for winter displays. Their understated finish sits comfortably with evergreen foliage and looks equally good against brick, stone or timber. A Classic Zinc Planter can give a single clipped shrub real presence; a group of different sizes works well where you have a little more space.

Drainage matters more than ever in winter. Make sure the pot has suitable drainage - our Zinc do - and  use compost appropriate to the plants. 

Raising a pot slightly on feet can help drainage. In very exposed positions, choose hardy plants and be ready to protect vulnerable roots during prolonged hard frost.

Keep it looking good through the colder months

Check containers occasionally rather than forgetting them until spring. Water when needed during dry spells, especially if pots sit beneath a porch or roof overhang, but don’t keep the compost constantly wet. Remove tired flowers and fallen leaves, and turn the pot if one side is becoming noticeably lopsided.

A container can be surprisingly thirsty on a mild, windy winter day. The best guide is the compost itself: feel below the surface before watering.

Plant now with spring in mind

One of the nicest things about a winter pot is the chance to tuck in a few bulbs. Dwarf narcissi, crocuses and small tulips can appear just as the winter flowers begin to fade. Plant bulbs at the appropriate depth and time for the variety, taking care not to crowd the roots of established shrubs.

When spring comes, keep the evergreen framework and replace only the plants that have finished. It’s an easy way to get more from the same container without starting again every season.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best plants for winter pots in the UK?

Evergreen shrubs, hellebores, ivy, winter violas and suitable small grasses are useful choices. The best combination depends on whether the pot is sunny, shaded, sheltered or exposed.

Do winter containers need watering?

Yes, occasionally. Check the compost, especially in pots sheltered from rain, and water when needed rather than following a fixed schedule.

Can I leave zinc planters outside all winter?

Yes - they are frost proof and have draining hole to prevent waterlogging.

The best winter containers are the ones you’ll see every day. A little greenery by the back door can be every bit as satisfying as a grand display particularly when the first spring bulbs begin to appear, so it pays to go for something that can become a year round feature.