5 'cold-loving' flowers that will brighten up your garden all winter long

Winter can make gardens feel bleak and lifeless, but it doesn't have to be that way. Some flowers actually thrive in the cold, bringing colour and beauty, and now home experts at Country Living are spotlighting 24 "cold-loving flowers."

The expert shared: "From super early blooming violets to pretty pansies, to flowering trees that will persist deep into winter, it's possible, especially with a little mulch and some TLC, to keep at least a little colour in your growing space for a lot longer than you might expect." We have narrowed down the best five we think would look the best in your garden.

1. Winter Iris

The Winter Iris, also known as Algerian Iris, is a beautiful perennial that brightens up the garden during the coldest months of the year. It produces elegant, fragrant purple flowers that stand out beautifully against its narrow, evergreen foliage.

"These make great border plants near walkways where you can enjoy long-lasting flowers," said the expert at Country Living. Plant in well-drained or sharply drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It is ideal at the base of a sunny wall, according to the RHS.

2. Crocuses

The expert revealed that Crocuses are "sweet little flowers" with distinctive blooms in shades of yellow, purple, and white that thrive in late winter to early spring. "Offering cheer in borders, spring-flowering crocuses should be planted from September to December, and autumn-flowering types in late summer to September."

These beautiful flowers are easy to care for. Garden crocuses usually don't need extra watering, except when they're grown in pots. Check whether the soil feels slightly moist to determine whether it needs watering.

Garden crocuses need a general plant feed after the flowers fade, but while the leaves are still growing to help keep them strong.

For crocuses in pots, use a liquid fertiliser with plenty of potash while the leaves are out to encourage healthy growth.

3. Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

"This shrub has pretty yellow flowers on arching branches in late winter," said the experts at Country Living. However, Winter jasmines do not have the same fragrance as other jasmines, but they bring a cheerful burst of colour to the garden.

According to Gardeners' World, winter jasmines will grow in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. When growing against a wall or fence, guide the stems along a trellis or wires and prune regularly to avoid bare areas.

4. Violas

Violas, with their vivid hues and distinctive "faces", are a striking presence in any garden. On colder mornings, these small but vibrant flowers offer a burst of colour and charm.

"In mild climates, they'll last all winter long. Many types technically are annuals, but they self-seed freely, so they'll often pop up again next year on their own," explained the experts.

5. Hellebores

According to the RHS, "Hellebores are classic plants for winter interest, with elegant, nodding blooms in shades of green, white, pink or ruby. These perennials have a long flowering period, lasting well into spring."

Hellebores, also known as the Lenten and Christmas rose, grow best in fertile, evenly moist soil. While they prefer light shade, they can cope in a sunnier spot as long as the soil doesn't get too dry.