What to plant that lights up your garden in winter

Tired of looking at the dreariness of the garden in winter? Or thinking of selling during the winter months and want to add some colour and life to the garden? Here are some flowers that withstand the chill.

Hellebores, also known as the 'winter rose'
They come to life as the winter rain soaks the ground. The flowers range in color from white to pale tones of pink and green, to dusty rose and dark burgundy.

Hellebores thrive when planted in well-drained, humus-rich soil. These are hardy plants, and once established, will form good-sized clumps which can be divided at this time of year. They flower best where they get a little light.

The primrose
The Primula vulgaris species is a soft pale yellow. Another wild primula, the cowslip (Primula veris), is more often found in fields and is suited to cool climates. They suit full sun or part shade and cool, moist humus-rich soil.

Source:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10888779

What vegetables to plant in winter?

A small vege plot may only need 3 crops planted every 12 weeks to cover you for the full season, so maintenance is mostly spent picking your tasty rewards!

Popular winter vegetable seedlings:

• Broad beans
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Parsley
• Cauliflower
• Silverbeet
• Spring onion
• Spinach
• Winter lettuce
• Kale

With plenty of rainfall and less pest problems through winter, maintenance of your winter vege patch is greatly reduced. In autumn, apply a mulch such as Pea Straw as it will restrict weed growth and help keep the roots warm.

Source:
http://www.palmers.co.nz/portfolio-items/how-to-grow-winter-vegetables/