Winter plants for the garden and the gabion raised bed: a blaze of color in the cold season

Introduction: Colorful winter plants for the garden

When winter arrives, the garden seems to fall into a deep sleep. Most plants retreat, trees lose their foliage and colorful accents disappear. But that doesn't have to be the case! Even in the cold season, there are numerous plants that provide a lively design with their flowers, leaves or berries. Especially in combination with a gabion raised bed, you can create unique winter landscapes in your own garden. We present some of the most beautiful winter plants that will transform your garden or raised bed into a blooming winter paradise.

Christmas roses in a gabion raised bed: elegance in white

One of the best-known winter plants is the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)which brings an elegant touch to the garden with its radiant white flowers. These hardy plants often start flowering in December and continue to delight us with their simple beauty until April.

Why plant Christmas roses in a gabion raised bed?

• They are easy to care for and frost-hardy.

• Their flowers create elegant accents between the stones.

• They prefer a semi-shady to shady location.

Tip: Take care to avoid waterlogging, as Christmas roses are sensitive to too much moisture. They are also poisonous to pets and children, so they need to be handled with care.

Winter jasmine: bright yellow tones in the cold garden

The winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) provides a cheerful splash of color in the cold season. Its sunny yellow flowers shine from December to April and create vibrant accents when most other plants are still dormant.

Winter jasmine and gabions: A perfect duo

• As a climbing plant it is ideal for greening gabion fences and gabion fences and walls.

• It can reach a height of up to 5 meters.

• Winter jasmine is undemanding and requires little care.

Garden tip: Plant winter jasmine right next to a gabion wall so that the wire mesh acts as a climbing aid. This creates a natural, flowering wall in the conservatory.

Winter snowball: fragrant flowers even in frosty weather

The winter snowball (Viburnum bodnantense) delights with its dense balls of flowers, which appear in delicate white or pink and exude an intense fragrance. Even in frosty weather, its flowers are in full bloom from December to March.

Plant winter snowball correctly:

• Sunny to semi-shady locations are ideal.

• The soil should be loose and moist.

• The plant can grow up to 5 meters high.

Advantage: In addition to its aesthetic effect, the winter snowball provides food for birds, as its dark red berries are a valuable source of winter food for many bird species.

Snow heather: colorful flowers in the winter raised bed

The snow heather (Erica carnea) is one of the few plants that is already in full bloom from January. With its colors ranging from white to pink to purple, it brings a touch of spring into the winter garden.

Snow heather in a gabion raised bed:

• Its compact growth forms fit perfectly in stone baskets.

• It provides insects with an important source of food in winter.

• It needs a sunny location with moist soil.

Special tip: A flower column made of gabions combined with snow heather creates an exciting contrast between stone, wire and vibrant color.

Other winter plants for the garden and the gabion raised bed

In addition to the plants already presented, there are many other ways to bring the garden to life in winter:

• Holly (Ilex aquifolium): Evergreen leaves and bright red berries as a color accent.

• Ornamental grasses such as Japanese blood grass: Movement and structure for winter flower beds.

• Winter-flowering camellias (Camellia sasanqua): Elegant flowers in pink, white or red.

• Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Hardy flowering plant, perfect for frosty temperatures.

Care tips for winter plants

To ensure that your winter plants get through the cold season in good health, you should follow a few care tips:

1. Soil and moisture: Make sure the soil is well-drained to avoid waterlogging.

2. Mulching: A layer of bark mulch or leaves protects the roots from heavy frost.

3. Remove snow: Too much snow on tender plants can cause them to bend.

4. Water on frost-free days: Even in winter, evergreen plants need water.

Conclusion: The winter garden can be colorful

A well-tended garden doesn't have to look bleak in winter. With the right plants, you can create a lively, flowering environment even in the cold season. Whether in combination with gabion raised beds, climbing aids or flower columns - winter plants such as Christmas roses, winter jasmine, winter snowball and snow heather provide color and structure. Use the variety of hardy plants to turn your garden or gabion raised bed into a real eye-catcher!