Plants That Last Through Winter in Australia

As the weather chills in Australia, your early spring and summer gardening time becomes a distant memory. However, this does not mean that your garden has to be forgotten about; in fact, there are plenty of plants that last through winter to keep your outdoor areas looking their best.

The experts at Amico have compiled the go-to list of hardy winter plants and flowers so you can make sure your garden looks beautiful all year long.

The best plants to last through winter in Australia

Winter Flowers

Winter doesn’t have to mean zero colour thanks to these wonderful flower options that love the cold!

Coneflower (Echinacea)

The coneflower does not keep its purple colouring in freezing temperatures, but it will be at its strongest and most colourful in Spring if properly cared for in the offseason. The coneflower loves sunlight so should find a home where it can experience full sun. Trim the dead stems after the flowers go dormant and use 1-2 inches of mulch for protection.

Lily of the Valley

It may have a delicate appearance, but the lily of the valley is a hardy plant that can tolerate a lot of shade. This means it only requires partial sun and can thrive during the colder months.

Blue Spruce

The blue spruce tree is a gorgeous winter plant. While it prefers full sun, it also acts as a great windscreen. You must keep insecticides away from this tree, as they will dull its hue, and you don’t want to do anything that may dim the beauty of this magnificent plant.

Wintergreen Boxwood

The wintergreen boxwood has shallow roots, which will require mulch ground cover for winter protection. You can manipulate this versatile plant for use as a hedge and strong enough to survive into late winter and all year long.

Catmint

The catmint’s stunning purple beautiful fragrance make it a winter alternative to lavender. The best part is that its flower is exceptionally resilient, and it tolerates partial sun and can even withstand poor soil conditions.

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Coral Bells are perfect for shady areas, but they must have well-drained soil. These flowers should be moved to the ground in anticipation of the start of winter if they were previously in a container.

Pansies

The pansy can survive very low temperatures; however, some frost-protection techniques are required in the winter. This can be done by covering them with mulch or pine straw which will also protect them from strong winds that will dehydrate the flower. Plant in late winter, ready for early-spring flowering.

Hostas

Hostas like partial sun and their fleshy roots mustn’t be exposed to frost, so cover them with mulch. The large hosta plant is prone to dehydration, so the mulch gives a bonus of retaining moisture in the soil.

Primrose

Primroses also have shallow roots, so require mulch protection in the winter for moisture retention. A little bit of light shade is all you should need for these guys.

Lavander

Can lavenders survive winter? Well, English lavenders can be left outside in winter, but non-English varieties can only survive in mild climates. If you have some, transfer them into pots and bring them inside during the colder months.

Winter Fruits and Vegetables

It’s also possible to keep your produce collection running through winter with these great cold-weather options:

Winterberries

Winterberries are a classic winter plant. Best planted in autumn, these plants can handle some pretty chilly weather. Winterberries enjoy full sun and moist soil and are the best way to add colour to your winter garden.

Your veggie patch

The best vegetable options for your winter garden include the following:

• Cabbage
• Onions
• Turnip
• Beetroot
• Potatoes
• English spinach
• Broad beans
• Carrots

How do plants protect themselves from winter?

Plants protect themselves in a variety of ways over winter. For example, some hold onto dead leaves for insulation or use deeper areas of the soil like a blanket for protection against the cold.

Specific evergreens have a special valve in their cells that automatically seals off individual frozen cells preventing a chain reaction of freezing.

Preparing Your Garden For Winter

One of the best ways to prepare your garden for winter is to clean any rotting and finished plants. This not only looks untidy, but old plants can also harbour disease and funguses. In addition, they can house unwanted insects that are feeding on your plants throughout the summer and laying eggs on the plant’s stalks and leaves.

Removing dead plants from the soil prevents pests from getting a head start in the spring.

How can AMICO help

The gardening experts at Amico have years of experience with plants during all seasons. We can provide a cleanup and health check of your garden to make sure it looks its best all winter.

Not only does this save you the time of doing it yourself, but you’ll also enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your garden is perfectly primed to handle the cold. Ask about our gardening and landscaping services in cold winters today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best plants for Australian winters?

Some of the best plants for your garden in Australian winter include Lily of the Valley, Blue Spruce, Wintergreen Boxwood, Catmint, Coral Bells (Heuchera), Pansies, Primrose and a range of vegetables.

What plants flower all year round in Australia?

Some of the most vibrant year-round flowers include:

• Allwood pinks
• Azaleas
• Chrysanthemums
• Fuschias
• Pansies
• Poppies
• Sweet peas

What flowers grow in winter in Sydney?

Some of the best winter-flowering plants for Sydney gardens include:

• Banksias
• Camellias
• Emu Bush
• Grevillea
• Hellebore
• Federation (Marguerite) daisy
• Protea

What vegetables grow all year round in Australia?

Some of the best year-round vegetables to grow in Australia as well as small spaces include:

• Beans
• Peas
• Radishes
• Spring onions
• Rocket
• Beetroot
• Any climbing fruit