Now, here's the mark of a good gardener - the ability to grow winter flowers. Anyone can grow plants that flower through spring and summer. Even autumn (fall) flowering plants aren't incredibly difficult. But it seems that many gardeners don't grow plants that flower through winter.

It's not a fair statement - really - that a good gardener can grow winter flowers, because most of the world's gardens are covered by snow or susceptible to frosts. And most winter flowers are found on tropical plants that are native to Africa, Asia or South America - areas that never experience either dilemma.

However, if you live in an area that doesn't suffer from these extreme climates - you have no excuse!

A well-rounded garden is one that can inspire and look beautiful throughout each season. There always seems to be some plant blooming it's head off throughout the landscape.

Here's a list of plants that you may be able to grow in your gardens to produce winter flowers;

• Grevilleas


• Strelitzia Reginae - Bird of Paradise


• Proteas - there are many varieties of this genus that will flower throughout winter


• Kniphofia - Red Hot Pokers


• Acacias - a good, hardy Australian genus that comes in many different forms from prostrates, shrubs and trees


• Hellebores - these are great because they can even tolerate some frost and cold growing conditions


• Camellias


• Azaleas


• Viburnums


• Heather


• Daphne

And then there's a heap of winter flowering annuals;

• Cyclamen


• Iceland Poppies


• Primulas


• Cineraria


• Poinsettias


• Allysum

Considering all the different colours that winter flowers will bring to your garden it's not hard to imagine how a drab, grey season can easily be transformed into a season we desire as much as the others.

Growing winter flowers doesn't take any more effort than growing plants that flower through other seasons, it merely comes down to planning. Plan to grow some plants that will give you a great flower show in winter and you won't be disappointed.