7 hardy plants that will survive the winter season

Sedum, also known as ice plants, are fantastic clusters of bright flowers. An excellent option for borders, and very easy to look after, sedum is drought resistant and requires very little watering. There is also little or no incidence of disease or insect infestation, making this hardy plant a perfect choice if you’re a slightly neglectful gardener. Withstanding temperatures up to -20℃ and producing flowers from August to October, sedum is beloved by pollinators in the late summer. We especially admire the ‘Autumn Joy’ variety which is a gorgeous deep pink colour. Not only is it low-maintenance, but it’s also a showstopper. Win, win!

Of course winter pansies would make the list. Known to bloom throughout winter, with a little care it will continue to do so all the way up to spring. These hardy plants will do particularly well in raised beds to avoid standing water, but they’re great for containers, borders, hanging baskets and much more. Pansies will give striking hues of yellow, orange, red, white, purple or even blue, making it an ideal choice if you want to inject some colour into your garden, but be sure to trim off the dead blooms to get more flowers. If planted in late October, allow it to grow in a sunny spot where it can soak up the remainder of the autumn sunshine.

This hardy plant will really brighten up the garden on those frosty mornings thanks to its fiery red foliage that appears in autumn, which drops off to reveal vivid yellow, orange and red stems. To encourage lots of these stems, make sure to regularly pollard the plant in early spring. What's interesting about dogwood is during the summer months it cloaks itself in green foliage, so it really does offer year-round interest. If you're looking to spark some life into the garden for autumn and winter, look no further.

Named snapdragon for when the throat is squeezed, the 'mouth' of this flower snaps open like a dragon. This is another great border plant – these flower spikes bloom from the bottom up so they give continuous colour. They are also fantastic for cut flowers, so with these in your garden, you’ll be flower arranging in no time. Snapdragon prefers lots of sun in damp soil. Remember to trim the tops when they get too high and water consistently for ongoing blooms, even in the cooler temperatures.

Another low-maintenance gem, lily of the valley is well-known for its snow white, bell-shaped flowers and delicate sweet aroma. The leaves do die back around October/November time but this plant is fully hardy down to temperatures of -22℃ and will likely survive the frost as it does well in cooler temperatures. This plant needs ground cover as it is likely to spread, but provides a carpet of beautiful white flowers in May. This will give your garden a timeless and romantic look and feel. Lily of the valley is a firm favourite for wedding bouquets as it is meant to bring luck in love.

When it comes to winter plants, heather is a hard one to beat. Heather flowers from late summer to autumn and there are all sorts of varieties to choose from. These shrubs create evergreen ground cover and are a lifeline for bumblebees in mild winter climates. In fact, research has shown that heather nectar provides a natural medicine against harmful parasites that can prevent their decline. This hardy plant is easy to manage, long-flowering and will add a pop of colour to your garden. Myretoun Ruby is a particular favourite, with rose pink to magenta blooms.

Dusty Miller, also called Silver Ragwort, has enchanting silver/white leaves with scalloped and frilled edges. This hardy plant would suit a mixed planting arrangement as it offers a neutral but delicate backdrop for more vibrant plants. Dusty Miller is both heat and drought resistant – a double whammy. It does best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun, but is tolerant of most soil types. It's easy to grow and offers a unique vibe to your typical garden space. It produces tiny yellow flowers during mid-summer but the leaves are the real star of the show. Popular varieties include 'Cirrus', 'Silver Lace' and 'Silver Dust'.