sunnyside garden centre

How to Keep Your Winter Garden Merry and Bright

Terry McLellan, Owner

As autumn fades, so does enthusiasm for gardening. Tools are packed away as people retreat inside, closing their curtains on what they believe will be an inevitably lifeless garden. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Winter offers a wonderful opportunity to get creative with some festive pots that will brave the Scottish weather with you.

First things first, you’ve got to look after your containers, especially in winter. Make sure pots and planters are raised off the ground with pot feet, which you can buy for a couple of pounds, or with two half bricks. This elevation prevents the base from sitting in freezing water and ensures good drainage, both of which are crucial for healthy roots.

When choosing winter plants for your container, prioritise sturdiness and resilience over showy colour. Start with my favourite, a plant called Wilma, whose height and colour makes a statement at the back. Pair with a classic winter choice, Skimmia Rubella. This evergreen shrub is decorated with clusters of bright red buds that stay closed in winter before opening into white flowers in spring. I’m also a big fan of Osmanthus, another evergreen shrub that looks like a small holly tree – perfect for the festive season. Or choose the low-maintenance Euonymus with its cheerful splashes of yellow or white.

For the front of your pot, add a frosty tone with Cool Blue grass or, for some local flavour, try Scottish-grown heather with golden leaves. I often include evergreen Azaleas, Pieris (Forest Flame) with its bright red leaves and delicate white flowers, as well as ornamental cabbages (and no, they’re not for eating!). A more unusual option is a shrub called Cornus, more commonly known as dogwood. Although Cornus drops its leaves in winter, this exposes a vibrant bark that blazes in shades of red, yellow, and orange, a real showstopper against a snowy backdrop. Soften the edges of your pot and create texture with a trailing ivy.

Thinking ahead, tuck some dwarf bulbs into the soil to greet you when spring finally wakes up. Tulip ‘Red Riding Hood’ is a red flower with beautifully variegated leaves which are as stunning as the flower itself, or there’s Narcissus ‘Tête-à-Tête’, a miniature daffodil with golden trumpets that last longer than others. As a smaller variety, it stands firmer against the wind and doesn’t need stacking – perfect for unpredictable Scottish weather.

For a finishing touch, treat your pot like a Christmas tree and accessorise with festive decorations. A plant pick, a sparkling bow, a robin ornament, or a string of fairy lights will brighten up your garden and impress guests.

As Christmas approaches, think of your garden as simply another room in your home that needs a sprinkle of festive cheer. Your garden is also an important reminder that winter can be just as beautiful as summer. For me, there is a special kind of joy in stepping outside on a cold December morning, hot mug of tea in hand, and watching the golden shimmer of Wilma against the frosty sky. So, bundle up, unpack your tools, and make your garden into a natural Christmas decoration that will outlast and outshine any tinsel.

Merry Christmas, and happy gardening from all of us at Sunnyside Garden Centre.

ABOUT SUNNYSIDE
Terry McLellan is the proud owner of Sunnyside Garden Centre in Kilwinning. With decades of experience as a gardener, plant grower, and landscape designer, Terry is known in the Ayrshire community for his advice, knowledge, and passion for plants that help Scottish gardens bloom all-year round.

A family-run garden centre in Kilwinning, Sunnyside grows many of its own plants throughout the seasons, providing the best quality products at the best prices. As well as stocking many gardening supplies, Sunnyside specialises in pots and hanging baskets, with pre-planted designs or bespoke options using the customer’s favourite varieties. Sunnyside is also home to the Florist Shop, with handcrafted bouquets and arrangements for gifts, weddings, funerals, and more, and will be opening an on-site café in the coming months.

Terry’s top five winter plants for festive cheer
These plants are perfect for Scottish gardens and hardy containers.

• Skimmia Rubella: A Christmas classic with deep red buds that last all winter before bursting into delicate white blooms in spring. Hardy, dependable, and beautifully festive.
• Conifer ‘Wilma’: Golden-yellow foliage that deepens to orange as winter sets in. Compact, bright, and perfect for adding height and colour to containers.
• Heathers: Scottish-grown and proud! Heathers bring structure and soft texture, and their hues range from green to gold and purple.
• Pieris ‘Forest Flame’: An evergreen beauty with glossy leaves that flush red in winter and white flowers in early spring. A striking statement plant for larger containers.
• Cornus (Dogwood): When leaves fall, its glowing stems take over providing unbeatable winter drama against frost or snow.

Festive container checklist

• Start with structure – Choose a strong centrepiece (like Wilma or Skimmia) and build around it.
  Add colour and contrast – Balance evergreen tones with pops of red, gold, or silver foliage.
• Raise your pots – Keep containers off the ground with pot feet or bricks to prevent freezing.
  Top up with mulch or moss – It insulates the soil and adds a soft, Christmassy finish.
• Add a little magic – A few fairy lights, pinecones, or a robin ornament make all the difference.
  Tuck in some bulbs – Dwarf tulips or ‘Tête-à-Tête’ daffodils will reward you with early spring colour.
• Don’t forget to water – Even in winter, plants need a drink, especially evergreens.