Our Favourite Winter Flowers

With the heating cranked up and the fluffy socks on regular rotation, you'd be forgiven for thinking winter isn't a time for flowers – but that's just not true. Winter flowers are extra special because they remind us life always finds a way, lifting our spirits and reminding us that warmer days are on the horizon.

Winter flowers can bring quiet joy to those who struggle throughout the darker months or can just add a touch of joy to a home in the darker months. The only question is: which ones? We’ve put together a run down of our favourites.

The flower's shape itself is thought to have inspired the French fleur-de-lis design which the monarchy enjoyed branding on all its buildings and clothing and weaponry. It's also believed that the flower is named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow who guided souls to heaven – this is why to this day people living in Greece continue to plant irises on graves. A little morbid but interesting all the same.

Want to learn more about the lovely iris? Check out our bumper guide to the iris.

Also known by its scientific name Helleborus, the Christmas rose unfurls as early as December, revealing icy hued petals flecked with pretty pink freckles. But don't be fooled by its beauty, this plant should be enjoyed as a purely decorative bloom as it is highly poisonous. In fact, the Christmas rose sounds innocent but it was once used in scandalous schemes of kings and queens of old and was known as a plant that grew in 'witches' gardens.

But those days are past us, now we can enjoy this stunning flower for its beauty alone either in our gardens or as cuttings in a wintery floral arrangement.

The flower itself is said to symbolise success, determination and strength so if a loved one has achieved something great over the winter months, maybe a new job or a house purchase, this is the bloom of choice for that celebratory gift.

Amaryllis is typically grown between October and January and blooms six to eight weeks after being planted, so if you want yours to wow during the Christmas period pick up one of these budded plants in mid-November.

Intrigued by amaryllis? Check out our all you need to know guide to these festive blooms.

Eryngium blooms in the autumn months but stretches into winter and looks stunning when paired with contrasting red flowers and dark green foliage, or mixed with simple white flowers for a classic winter arrangement. The flower is said to symbolise independence and with its prickly head we can see why. Consider giving a bunch to someone moving out of the family home or off on a new adventure to wish them luck and strength.

While these flowers grow in bushlike forms in English gardens they do look lovely as cuttings. Rescue the remaining new buds as winter draws in and feature these in a floral arrangement in a vase in your home.

After a little more info on anemones? Check out our bumper guide to this sweet flower.

Also known as the sugarbush, the protea flower has an intriguing cone-like head and blooms in stunning shades of orange, yellow and red – ideal if you want to add a quick pop of colour to a winter bouquet. This flower is also so hardy that it's been known to survive wildfires and grows naturally throughout the likes of Australia and South America.

A single protea flower, in amongst your usual suspects in a bouquet, steals the show as it's unlike anything you've ever seen. They also look great in bunches of two or three as a standalone arrangement.

But which orchid should you choose to enjoy over winter? After all, there are over 20,000 species of this ornamental bloom. We're big fans of the cascade orchid which typically features four or five flowers that – you've guessed it – cascade down. Orchids will bloom several times throughout the year, making them not just a great winter flower but the perfect all-rounder to add a touch of colour and style to your home.

Obsessed with orchids? Make sure you check out our all you need to know guide.