Try hardy cyclamen, snowdrops, crocus and primulas/polyanthus. Winter flowering pansies might just work too.

Thanks MG, I was told that it might be to dry for cyclamen as that, was what I was thinking of planting. I think I will look at the pansies.

What sort of soil do you have? Willows do tend to take all the water that is available so you might need to put down a layer of good composted material but not right up to the tree trunk.

Not sure about the type of soil, it's down in area I tend to forget about, but I can see the tree from the window so I thought a few plants would cheer that area up until I decide what to do with it. It is very dry and poor so I would have to put some kind of composted material, I might just fill some pots with cyclamen as I do like them.

We live on a very busy main road so not only do I get all the seeds from weeds blown in, it's also not very relaxing at that part of the garden with the noise from the traffic, I also forgot to tell you, the willow is surrounded on two sides with leylandii hedge.

Between the willow and the leylandii you will get very little to grow in the soil, certainly not winter colour. The hardy cyclamen don't do well in pots and would need protecting from the pots freezing in winter.

I have a friend who has cyclamen growing around the roots and under the canopy of a huge oak tree and they seem to flourish ok. I live very near to Wakehurst Place and they have masses of them under the trees at this time of year.

Cammomile cyclamen do fine under a lot of trees but not a willow in combination with a leylandii hedge. The college gardens in Cambridge have wonderful displays of them growing around the beeches.

Thanks MG, I think I need to go back to the drawing board!

Let us know how you get on Jenny... Containers might be your best solution :-)