Winter perennials for February

Winter-flowering perennials like Iris unguicularis and hellebores provide colour, while evergreens like box retain much-needed structure after other plants have flopped and faded.

When choosing winter perennials for February appeal, it's good to remember that many will have winter interest in the form of old but attractive stems and seedheads. Plants like this include phlomis and agastache, plus annuals like teasels, all of which are great for bees and other pollinators, too.

• Winter plants for pots
• How to grow winter jasmine

Discover some of the best winter perennials for February flowers, structure and colour, below.

Iris unguicularis

Also known as Algerian iris, these vigorous plants produce a late-winter show of fragrant, purple flowers, making them ideal winter perennials for February. Planted in full sun, they'll do well whatever your soil type is.

• Buy Iris unguicularis from Beth Chatto

Hellebores

The great benefit of hellebores is that, whichever type you choose, whether it's Corsican hellebores or cultivars like 'Ashwood Garden Hybrids', all will produce long-lasting flowers from winter to spring. Grow them in sun to partial shade, in moist, fertile soil.

• Buy hellebores from Crocus, Gardening Express and Suttons

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

While grass-like in appearance Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is not a species of grass. Grown in full sun, it will develop a deeper shade of black, though it can also be grown in partial shade. Given its dwarf habit, plant it where the dramatic foliage can't be missed.

• Buy ophiopogon from Crocus, Gardening Express and Thompson & Morgan

Box

Dense, evergreen plants like box are ideal for adding structure to the garden, right through the year. The plants can be clipped into hedges or topiarised into eye-catching and unusual shapes, to dot around the garden or among borders.

• Buy box from Crocus, Gardening Express and Thompson & Morgan

Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve'

Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve' can valiantly flower year round if deadheaded regularly. Though short-lived, this perennial wallflower is easy to replace from cuttings.

Watch out hellebore blackspot

Watch out for hellebore blackspot – black spots on the leaves. Remove any affected leaves that you find.