Winter can seem like a drab time for those of you who like to have plants in bloom in the landscape. There are obviously not as many plants blooming in the winter, but a little searching will net you results.

Because fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and vines, here are suggestions on some plants to brighten up the winter landscape.

WINTER JASMINE is an evergreen, arching shrub reaching 3 to 4 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide. It can grow 12 to 15 feet if it's untrained on a wall or trellis. With the warm days of January and February, the red buds open into bright yellow, tubular flowers on the green stem. The flowers open over a long time, with a few always open once it starts.

Winter jasmine flowers best in full sun. This can be a good plant in poor soil areas where cover is desired. With its trailing growth habit, the ends of the branches root in the soil and start new plants. Give it plenty of room to grow.

WINTER DAPHNE is an aristocrat in the plant world. This slow- growing, mounded evergreen reaches about 3 feet tall and a little less wide. The clusters of tiny flowers form heads 1 to 2 inches across in a solid white or pink-edged white. The flowers stay in good condition for four to six weeks. The outstanding fragrance fills the area, too.

Winter daphne can be hard to grow. It dislikes having its roots in wet soil. It is also one of the few plants that seems to prefer highly acidic soils. Plant it high in well-drained, amended soil in partial shade for best results.

WINTER HONEYSUCKLE brings life to the garden with its sweet fragrance. The small, creamy flowers seldom attract attention, except from insects. The plant is best placed in an out of the way space, as it can get 6 to 10 feet high, with an equal spread. It's a tough plant that takes full sun or shade. Tuck it away and let visitors try to find the source of the honeysuckle's perfume.

LENTEN ROSE is a foot-tall, delightful perennial that starts to bloom in January or February. The plant is fairly easy to grow and only requires partial shade and occasional watering.

Lenten rose has clusters of nodding terminal flowers 3 inches wide that are white to maroon, many with freckle spots inside. The flowers last eight weeks or more before turning green with the development of inflated seed pods. The leathery, dark-green leaves are attractive all year.

TEA OLIVES are one of the toughest plants in the landscape. Nothing is ever wrong with them and they are extremely drought-tolerant. Tea olives will give you several flushes of small, fragrant blooms during winter in periods of warm weather.

For planting any of the above this fall, select plants that are mature enough to have flower buds or you may have to wait another growing season to enjoy their blooms.

Sid Mullis is director of the University of Georgia Extension Service office for Richmond County. Call him at (706) 821-2349, or send e-mail to smullis@uga.edu.