We’ve chosen five of our favourite winter garden plants to give you some inspiration when creating your own winter wonderland:

(Illex Aquifolium)

There are over 400 varieties of this popular Christmas decoration, with leaves varying in shape and berries ranging from the well known red to the lesser known yellow, amber, ivory and black.

Although holly is a low maintenance plant, it grows best in well drained soil, and can mature from a small pot plant to a hedge or tree.

Female plants need to be pollinated by a male plant to produce berries.

Tip - Holly bushes should be bought when young and planted late winter/early spring.

(Jasminum Nudiflorum)

Introduced from China in 1844, the winter jasmine embellishes walls and fences beautifully with its yellow flowers and bright green stems.

It can grow in almost any setting, and will need pruning to prevent it spreading too far. Tie the stems to trellises or fences if you want the winter jasmine to climb.

Tip – Cut away tired-looking top growth so young shoots can come up.

(Galanthus Nivalis)

If you want to add a drop of delicate beauty to your garden, why not go for the garden snowdrop. This white flower can bloom all through the winter, and is even known to push through the snow.

Snowdrops can make a great addition to a rockery or even add an elegant border around trees or up a garden path. These bulb plants grow best in moist soil with plenty of mature compost.

Tip – To enable greater nutrient storage, don’t remove foliage until it has turned yellow.

(Hellebore Niger)

Unlikely to actually flower at Christmas,the Christmas rose is so called due to old tales of bringing hope at that time. Ideal for woodland gardens with partial shade and moist soil, the white, bowl-shaped flowers usually appear from January to April.

Tip - If foliage is damaged by weather, cut the leathery, dark green leaves back before it flowers again in the spring.

(Camellia Japonica)

For a bit of colour in your garden this winter, opt for camellias. Waxy blooms of ruby red, candy pink and pristine white are complemented by dark, glossy leaves, to brighten up the view from your window.

Plant these in acid soil and they will look after themselves, growing into large shrubs or small trees. They flower for around 8 weeks each year, after which they should be pruned.

Tip - Yellow leaves signify nutrient deficiency.