Everyone has gone a little Game of Thrones mad at the moment and for us in Australia, it's true WINTER IS COMING! But instead of bringing scary things that go bump in the night, it brings with it beautiful winter flowers.

With such a huge variety available you should have no trouble finding some gorgeous flowers, just right to keep you garden blossoming through the season. Here are some of our favorites:

Christmas or Lenten Rose (Helleborous Orientalis)

Grows up to 60cm tall Likes full shade Happiest in well drained soil Perennial, Evergreen Don't fertilise more than once a year

Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae)

Grows up to 2m tall Likes partial or full sunlight Happy to rely on rainfall Perennial, Evergreen Flowers once mature which may be 4 or 5 years

Winter Daphne (Daphne Odora)

Grows up to 1.8m tall Likes partial or full sunlight Likes well drained soil but not dry Evergreen Doesn't transplant well

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Grow up to 12cm tall Likes partial shade Can withstand lots of rain. Perennial, Deciduous Usually multiples at the bulb

Qualup Bell (Pimelea Physodes)

Grows up to 1m tall Avoid full sun for the best flowers Happiest in well drained soil Evergreen Native to Western Australia doesn't survive on the East Coast but grafted stock is available.

Mahonia

Grows up to 2.5m tall Likes full sun or partial shade Happiest in well drained soil Woody Perennial, Evergreen Requires protection from frost

There's a whole range of beautiful plants I haven't mentioned, for you to choose from for your winter garden. All of which are going to give you contrasting textures, foliage colours and of course flowers!

Happy Growing!

N.B. This article has been written for Australian gardens. If you're reading this from around the world, we do hope you've found it a useful stepping stone for your own further research.