Seasonal plants for festive borders, balconies and pots

While the garden is in a dormant stage, being able to admire easily some winter beauty in the form of potted plants is a lovely way to cheer to your day. Plants could grace the patio, tumble out of window boxes or catch your eye as a colourful collection by the front door, offering a warm welcome every time you pop inside or out. You may think you can’t have containers brimming with plants through winter but by selecting some hardy shrubs and infill options you will be surprised at the variety available. A visit to your local garden centre this month will surround you with all kinds of inspiration to unleash your creativity. Often, much of the work has been done by the team at the nursery as you will frequently find that the seasonal highlight plants are presented at the front of the space on grouped displays. Do hunt a little deeper as well, though, for interesting foliage and evergreen plants. Gather a selection of plants from the shelves that appeal and group them in different combinations to see how they will work best together.

A contemporary look with phormium underplanted with colourful cyclamen. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Have in mind the effect you are after and the containers you have already or ones you are hunting for. Paint a picture of colours and textures that will say, “look at me” and make an impact in the space they will be augmenting. Whether your style is minimalist, contemporary, classic or rustic, whether you are a gardening virgin or an expert, you can achieve success in a pot – and in next to no time. Containers of course will need to withstand freezing temperatures, so check all are frost-proof. Make sure that each container has drainage holes, as you don’t want to waterlog your plants. The range is diverse, with everything from new to recycled styles a possibility and in materials including metal, wood, ceramic, stone, terracotta or plastic. You don’t need to restrict your choice to bought containers. Anything can take your fancy, such as old baskets lined with plastic, olive-oil cans, coalscuttles, crates, ancient watering cans or industrial salvage. Consider the visual balance between the plants and the container as well as the arrangement of pots.

Add some colour amongst topiary containers. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Whether aiming for a pair of stately containers or a mixed scene of eclectic vignettes, have fun with your winter designs. Container gardening satisfies the artist within. Scenes that may be difficult to create in a large garden become achievable in a pot. Keep in mind that planting up a winter arrangement is different from a summer one. With summer mixes, you have to allow the plants room to grow and develop, which means that your newly planted container can look a bit empty at first. A winter container can have an instant “wow” effect with a densely planted mix of specimens. As evergreens do not grow very much through the winter you can select fairly mature plants. There is no need to leave room to grow. Many people follow the mantra of "thrillers, fillers and spillers" when choosing the plants. Thrillers - slightly taller, architectural plants - are the focal point, fillers are plants for the middle spaces to give an abundant look, while spillers cascade over the edge.

Potted heather is a pretty choice. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Make sure you include some of the stars of winter, such as fragrant winter flowers, brightly coloured stems and berried beauties. Select plants that will look great through winter and into spring. Mix evergreens with seasonal flowers and berries. Some of the best plants to include are dwarf conifers, holly, skimmia, heathers, gaultheria, cyclamen, pansies and ornamental kale. There is not just an array of green foliage choices, many are in burgundy or even silver tones when you look at heucheras, tiarellas, cordylines and silver curry plants, to name just a few. Look also at ornamental grasses and shrubs such as cornus, which will drop their autumn leaves and reveal bright red stems. Layer some early spring bulbs, for example miniature narcissi and crocuses, under the top planting to come up in February as a lovely surprise. Consider the colour combinations, shapes, forms and textures of your vertical elements, add fillers and trailers that you enjoy and that work well with your house and garden and you'll have something to delight you well into the winter months - and beyond. What's more, hand them over to a lucky recipient at this time of year, and you'll be giving a living gift that'll give pleasure for weeks to come.

Silver foliage is a great foil. (Image: Leigh Clapp) To know

Your local garden centre will have a wealth of small potted shrubs and an array of infill plants from autumn onwards that are ideal for containers through winter to spring

Here are some that are sure to have good options

• Coolings Garden Centres, Bearsted ME14 4NH and Knockholt TN14 7NN
coolings.co.uk

• Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks, TN14 7AD
polhill.co.uk

Ruxley Manor, Orpington, DA14 5BQ
ruxley-manor.co.uk

Meadow Grange Nursery, Whitstable, CT5 3BP
meadowgrangenursery.co.uk

Longacres Garden Centre, Ashford, TN24 9JZ
longacres.co.uk

Grouping the one plant, such as here with hellebores, makes a display with impact. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Get the look

• Hunt out interesting coloured and variegated evergreens to use

• Include levels - height from strappy plants or conifers, to underplanting

• Try unusual colour combinations, such as metallic bronze and orange, or purple with burgundy

• Plan your container before planting by grouping the plants in their plastic pots

• A classic look could be adding some seasonal colour to permanent topiary containers in a matching pairing on either side of the door

• Bright containers with complementary plants give a warm welcome

• You may like to use one plant and repeat it or create a mix in each container, there are no rules, just enjoy

• Use good compost and mulch with moss, bark, gravel or glass chippings to keep plants warm and snug.

• Good drainage is essential

• Plant the centrepiece first

• You don’t need to feed plants in winter containers, as there is not much growth

• Avoid over-watering, but water in dry spells

• Keep the pots in as light a place as possible

• Check regularly for pest and disease problems and remove withered foliage.

• Placing a plastic pot inside a terracotta pot avoids it cracking

• Remove plants in April and replant in the garden

• Planted containers also make lovely gifts

Versatile hellebores. (Image: Leigh Clapp) Plant palette

• Evergreens /foliage - dwarf conifers, holly, euonymus, heuchera, tiarella, ivy, myrtle, phormium, buxus, cordyline, elaeagnus, ornamental grasses – including acorus, carex, kale, cineraria

• Flowers/berries/fruit – hellebores, skimmia, cyclamen, pansy, heather, primula, pieris, viburnum, gaultheria, sarcococca, solanum, callicarpa, ornamental peppers

• Surprise bulbs – snowdrops, narcissi, crocus, hyacinth, muscari