Winter gardens are full of interest and colour. If you want to create a garden with all year round interest and are looking for winter planting ideas here are some of the best, and sweetest scented of our winter shrubs and plants.

Shrubs and plants in bloom and looking good in December

Some Winter planting combinations

Grasses in winter

Grasses look fabulous in winter, especially back lit by sun. In the frost grasses sparkle and take on an ethereal look of sheer beauty. Driving through the countryside in winter I just want to stop and take endless photographs the natural grasses look so beautiful when frosted. We can create this look in our own gardens with a few well place grasses. More about winter grasses.

I took this image of this spectacular winter combination at RHS Harlow Carr. Bright yellow stems of Cornus  Flaviramea, the delicate seed heads of Lunaria, common name Honesty under-planted with snowdrop. This was repeat planted along a border and looked just inspiring. All credit, as always, to the RHS planting gurus. 

Cornus Honestly and snowdrops

This is an RHS image, and credit is due. Its title is “Path in snow amongst Cornus 'Midwinter fire' in Winter. Winter Walk, RHS Garden Wisley credit Joanna Kossak”. It conjures up a winter wonderland with such strong colour from that favourite of shrubs, Cornus. It really is a Midwinter fire. Just a few Cornus can really light up your garden in winter. Ideal shrubs for areas of damp or boggy soil and they are also tolerant of partial shade.