3 winning container recipes

Cornus sanguinea ‘midwinter Fire’

Add blazing colour to your container with the winter stems of a cornus. Dogwoods are at their most striking in the winter months, when the stems take on fiery shades. H&S: 6½ft (2m).

Erica x darleyensis f. albiflora ‘White Perfection’ AGm

A hardy winter heather that will flower for weeks on end, whatever the weather. The evergreen needle-like leaves offer added interest. HxS: 6inx1½ft (15x45cm).

Skimmia japonica ‘rubella’ AGm

Perk up your doorstep with red buds that last all winter before bursting into flower in spring. An undemanding and understandably popular plant for a container. H&S: 5ft (1½m).

Helleborus niger

Despite its name, the Christmas rose flowers in January and February, its white blooms lighting up the gloom. And there’s evergreen foliage for year-round interest. HxS: 1ftx16in (30x40cm).

Viola ‘Sorbet Phantom’

Daintier than pansies but just as tough, there are lots of winter violas to choose from. ‘Sorbet Phantom’ has scented rich purple flowers that appear from December to April. H&S: 6in (15cm).

Carex comans (bronze-leaved)

Evergreen grasses provide structural interest and height. The bronze form of the New Zealand sedge is a striking colour that will stand out when light levels are low. H&S: 20in (50cm).

Hedera helix ‘Glacier’ AGm

Soften container edges with a lowmaintenance trailing ivy – it will fit in with most planting schemes for windowboxes and doorstep pots. Choose a variegated form like ‘Glacier’. H&S: 6½ft (2m).

Heuchera ‘Obsidian’

Invaluable for their striking foliage and suitability for pots, heucheras are so versatile. To complement the purple violas, try ‘Obsidian’, which has purple evergreen leaves. H&S: 1ft (30cm).

Winter-flowering pansies

Cheap and cheerful – an obvious choice for pots. Opt for burgundy or red winter pansies to tie in with the skimmia, and deadhead regularly to keep the blooms coming. H&S: 8in (20cm).