Create a beautiful winter planter: 3 colourful ideas

Small white-and-yellow planter: winning combination of bulbs and perennials

To instantly brighten a windowsill, balcony railing or pretty terrace pot, nothing beats a soft, luminous mix of white and yellow blooms. Their radiance makes gloomy winter days fade.
Gather a few delights around two hellebores: Helleborus niger, the pure white Christmas rose that will flower from December, and a yellow Lenten rose, such as the oriental hellebore ‘Yellow’, delightful and often in bloom until April.
On the bulb front, a few snowdrops planted in autumn will accompany the hellebores from January, as will the winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) and their guaranteed cheerfulness with their bright yellow colour.
Add a small evergreen foliage, such as Hedera helix ‘Ivalace’, a handsome ornamental ivy, and you’re done!

♥ Little extra : this window box is an antidote to grey days! Perfect for small containers.

My tip : to keep this container working through other seasons, insert a few mini-bulbs easy to slot in (from autumn), such as grape hyacinths for spring, and sow annuals directly in place from April or use annuals purchased as plug plants that will slip in without problem (why not the adorable Scaevola ‘Surdiva‘ white?).

Christmas rose, ivy ‘Ivalace’, winter aconites, snowdrops and oriental hellebore ‘Yellow’

Generous, easy winter planter

This planter relies on hardy, colourful plants to brighten cold months. It can really be planted in many regions. Erica x darleyensis ‘Marie Helen’ brings its delicate little pink bells and bronze foliage during winter months, while dwarf holly Ilex meserveae ‘Little Rascal’ catches the eye with its distinctive foliage: dark green, slightly dentate leaves highlighted with purple hues, which show off the red berries of female plants.

One, two or three ornamental cabbages, depending on available space, will also add volume and a playful touch with their frilled leaves. The fine, velvety evergreen foliage of silver ragwort Senecio ‘Donkey’s Ears’ adds a touch of brightness. Finally, small bicolour mauve pansies with a yellow eye complete the display with their cheerful colours.

♥ Its little extra: striking coloured foliage and good performance even in cold climates.

My advice: this planter lasts a long time thanks to evergreen foliage, but in spring remove ornamental cabbages as soon as they fade and replace them with crocuses for a gentle transition into the growing season.

Ilex meserveae ‘Little Rascal’, Viola tricolor, Senecio ‘Donkey Ear’s, ornamental cabbages and Erica darleyensis ‘Marie Helen’

Large romantic planter for partial shade

While many winter-flowering plants demand plenty of sun, here is a small selection of blooms that grow easily in a planter and thrive in bright partial shade.

By choosing subjects that flower between December and March, place three romantic bloomers together in a large planter: that of a Skimmia japonica, whose buds formed from December remain graceful before opening into delicate white, greenish or redder tones as in ‘Rubella‘, the intense blue of theAlgerian iris (Iris unguicularis) which can flower from December depending on region, and the mauve of white or yellow Erythroniums, for the freshness they bring late in winter.

A small evergreen shrub with tiny leaves, Muehlenbeckia axillaris, will be an enchanting companion, gently trailing over the edge of the planter, and the orange of the foliage of Heuchera ‘Caribbean Sea’ will add a lively splash of colour to the mix (it will produce discreet, airy white flowers in June).

♥ Little extra : planter ideal for balconies or north- or east-facing spots.

Tip : Skimmia can be replanted in the garden if you prefer to refresh display for next winter. And, for a slightly sunnier position, replace Erythroniums with small botanical narcissi such as Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Artic Bells’, or with forced narcissi you can find at garden centres in mid-winter!

Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’, Muehlenbeckia axillaris, Iris unguicularis, Heuchera ‘Caribbean Sea’ and Erythronium dens-canis

A little decorative touch

Feel free to plant a few highly decorative winter elements in your containers or planters, if you have any to hand (florists sell them at this time of year too): bright red cornelian cherry branches, conifer foliage, birch bark, pine cones, hips, mini lanterns, etc.

I find zinc planters really beautiful for displaying potted winter arrangements, that metallic touch pairing well with the soft colours of the blooms and the grey tones of some foliage. Small terracotta pots are also charming, and don’t blacken when placed in sun.

Finally, play with clustering pots if you don’t have a large enough planter: the result is undeniably charming!