10 award-winning (AGM) wall shrubs and climbers for winter

Are you concerned about how to bring colour and life into your garden during the cold months? When flowers are scarce, planting shrubs and climbers against a wall can be your best option, transforming even the bleakest days into opportunities for beauty and inspiration.

Discover a selection of wall plants for winter that are all winners of the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Winter-flowering camellia

This camellia’s poached-egg flowers begin blooming in autumn and last right through winter

Camellia sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ is a stylish camellia with glossy, evergreen foliage – but its glory lies in its single flowers, which are about 10cm (4in) across, pure white with pink tinged edges. The scented flowers open from late autumn and continue through winter. It is as hardy as other camellias, but the flowers benefit from the protection of a sunny fence or wall. Height 2m (6½ft). Hardiness rating H4.

Sweetest scent of all

Be sure to postion Chimonanthus near a path or by the door so you can relish its scent

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox ‘Luteus’) is perfectly hardy in the open garden but requires the extra summer warmth of a fence or wall to ripen its shoots and ensure the

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers.

The cutest freckles

An evocative climber with leaves that turn a bold bronze in cold spells

Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens ‘Freckles’  is a pretty speckled form of an evergreen Mediterranean clematis. It has dainty leaves that often develop bronze tones during the coldest months. This dark colouring is an ideal foil for the strongly scented, creamy-yellow flowers, which are carried through the winter. It thrives in a sunny site, prune after flowering if needed. Height 2.5m (8ft). Hardiness rating H4.

Smart evergreen

Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ makes an effective hedge too 

Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ is a choice, shade-loving selection of a dependable evergreen. Its leathery, dark green foliage also makes a good background for summer flowers. However, it truly shines in midwinter, when its main feature – greyish catkins up to 20cm (8in) long and twice as long as those of the original species – creates an unforgettable effect. Height 3m (10ft). Hardiness rating H4.

Cheerful and dependable

Winter jasmine is easy to grow and brings bright colour to the darkest days

The winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a plant that even most non-gardeners know, thanks to its toughness and the reliability with which its yellow flowers survive anything the season throws at them. When cut for the house, the flower stems may even root in water. Strong growing, but easily restricted by pruning after flowering. Height 2.5m (8ft). Hardiness rating H5.

Shrubby honeysuckle

Plant ‘Winter Beauty’ in a sheltered situation to make the most of its delicious fragrance

Lonicera × purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ is a plant that does not require the protection of a wall or fence, but flowers more prolifically and its scent is less easily dispersed when grown in a sheltered position. This is a shrubby form, not a climber, with strongly scented, creamy flowers from December into spring. It is the most prolific of the fragrant winter honeysuckles. Heigth 2m (6½ft). Hardiness rating H6.

Sheer bliss for bees

Mahonias are architectural plants, providing an extra dimension to your garden

Mahonia × media ‘Winter Sun’ is another plant perfectly happy in the open garden, but that benefits from being planted against a house wall. In this sheltered position, its rich fragrance – stronger than that of most mahonias – won’t be lost on a chilly breeze. The bold evergreen leaves, like opposite rows of holly leaves, make a fine background for the clusters of upright yellow flower spikes. Height 3m (10ft). Hardiness rating H5.

Oriental beauty

The flowers of ‘Beni-chidori’ are powerfully scented, perfect on a crisp winter day

Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’ is the ideal small tree to grow against a wall, which offers some frost protection for its flowers. This attractive tree does not cast dense shade, so many other plants will thrive beneath it. In winter and early spring, its dark branches are adorned with rich pink flowers that exude a powerful almond scent. Height 4m (13ft). Hardiness rating H5.

The florists’ choice

With silvery foliage and generous plumes of flowers, mimosas are a fond favourite

The florists’ mimosa, Acacia dealbata, is a superb evergreen for a sunny wall with prettily divided, silvery-green foliage. From midwinter into spring, its fluffy flowerheads form billowing sprays with a lovely, sweet scent. It may die back in the harshest winters but usually regrows, and can be pruned after flowering to restrict its size. Height 4m (13ft) or more. Hardiness rating H3.

Scented and wildlife-friendly

Choose the rare and enchanting Azara serrata for flowers in your winter garden

Azara serrata is an unusual evergreen shrub for a sunny site. It has glossy foliage and makes a good host for climbers. The smart leaves beautifully show off its fragrant yellow puffball flowers. With a branching habit and dense covering of evergreen leaves, it provides an excellent habitat for nesting birds. Probably the hardiest of all azaras. Height to 2.5m (8ft). Hardiness rating H4.