Take for example a bright morning when the twigs of skeletal trees are painted with hoar frost.

This shrub is a class act.

The longest of these, which reach 30-40cm, belong to the male cultivar James Roof.

10 Flowering plants to brighten the winter garden

Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Jasminum nudiflorum | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Chimonanthus Praecox | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Garrya elliptica | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’ | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ (winter honeysuckle) | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Mahonia x media ‘Bucklland’ | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Erica carnea (winter flowering heathers) | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Helleborus niger | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Helleborus x hybridus | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days

Prunus x subhirtella | Flowering Plants to Brighten the Winter Garden: Trees, Shrubs and Perennials with Blooms to Sparkle in Short Days