The winter garden within

Indoor plants for winter scent and colour

The brief (or not so brief in other areas of the UK) blast of snow that we’ve had this week has made me think about indoor plants. While the garden is covered in a white blanket I’m looking for others way to enjoy a little colour. I love the scent of Christmas trees at this time of year, in the same way that I love walking through a pine forest just after it has rained. The fresh pine scent that fills the car as you bring it home and the waft you get as you walk past the tree in the house. Seeing the Christmas tree in its stand, as the lights start being wrapped around marks the start of Christmas for me. I will admit though, that it takes up a fair amount of space and I’m always up for some colour that will fit on a shelf or window sill.

Phalaenopsis orchids

Along with many houseplants that I enjoy all year round, there are an amazing array of bulbs that will bring scent and colour into the house during the winter months. A chance to enjoy some of the outside indoors, without having to open the door and let a blast of cold air in. There seem to be three main colour groupings when it comes to winter flowering bulbs, the traditional red and green, sophisticated or Scandi whites andjewel-like colours.