Winter may be upon us but there is no reason not to enjoy some of the season's festive flowers and plants indoors, nature experts suggest.

Poinsettias are one of the most beautiful Christmas plants and make great window decorations. It is best to keep them barely moist at the root as over watering can cause the colourful flowers to fall off.

Orchids also make a stunning focal point and, like poinsettias, are best watered sparsely. Experts recommend applying mist directly to leaves rather than water to the compost.

Cacti are a low-maintenance Christmas plant and are good for sunny windowsills, while bottle gardens come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours and make cheery Christmas gifts.

And for the outdoor garden, some solar-powered stand-up lights will brighten up a lawn or rockery with some festive cheer.

For advice on different garden styles, visit Ideas + Inspiration.