What to plant in winter

Instant colour

Brighten dull corners between seasons with winter and spring flowering pansies, polyanthus, snapdragons, mini cyclamen and fragrant stock. Dainty alyssum and lobelia flowers make wonderful fillers.

Plant now for spring and summer

There is still time to plant tulips and other spring flowering bulbs for fabulous displays in pots. Lily bulbs, ready now for winter planting, will bloom in summer. Dwarf dahlias, cannas and begonias are planted in late winter or spring for late summer and autumn colour.

Foliage

Heucheras grow beautifully in pots and give lasting colourful effects with their leaves alone. Flowers are the icing on the cake.

Edibles

Grow easy leafy greens for healthy winter meals. Spinach, silverbeet and winter lettuces are available in punnets for quick and easy planting. Make regular weekly sowing of micro-greens in a warm spot indoors. Garlic and shallots grow well in pots too, their bulbs thriving in the extra drainage a good potting mix provides. Plant them in winter for summer harvest. Spring onion seedlings can be purchased in punnets or you can start them from seed. Potatoes are grown with ease in pots or planter bags. Start by planting the early varieties in July or August which will be ready for a pre-Christmas harvest.

For healthy winter flavour, parsley, chives, rosemary, oregano, thyme and other herbs thrive in pots. Winter is also a great time for planting strawberries in containers, ideally in a wide pot or tub. They need a generous root zone to hold plenty of water and feeding for best fruiting potential.