The Winter Garden
By Veronica
Winter flowering plants are some of the most resilient. Tolerant of low light levels and cold temperatures, they thrive despite some neglect (who gets out in the garden in the Winter?) and will reward you with cheerful blooms with a minimum effort. So, you can sit back and enjoy a nice cup of tea, they will do the do work for you, and your garden will look beautiful even when it is too cold or miserable to go out.
Small plants, mighty in colour
Snowdrops, Photo by Jan Macháček
Ideal for pots or the front of the border, these short plants are charming and colourful. Of course, the snowdrop is a must-have! The Galanthus nivalis is the best for naturalising, but you could try the double-flowered varieties to add interest to your pots and window boxes. Their nodding flowers will show all their features from a bit of height. Still in the bulbs, the cyclamens (‘Coum’ or Hederifolium) and winter aconites will be used to create drifts (the first in pink, the second in yellow) or colourful patches in woodland settings. They are, indeed, ideal for underplanting trees or shrubs (including roses). Pansies and mini cyclamens may have a shorter life span but the burst of colour they provide makes up for it. You could expect 4 months of colour from these, it may vary depending on the weather. To keep them flowering, make sure that you deadhead them regularly so that they do not go to seed.
Cyclamen, Photo by Yoav Farhi
Easy Short perennials
Hellebores and Heathers are certainly some of the most popular plants for the winter season. The reason for it is very simple: they are reliable and low maintenance. Most will grow to less than a foot high and can be easily grown in containers to create beautiful features at the front door or on the balcony.
Hellebores are herbaceous perennial; they can be deciduous although most of the varieties are evergreen or semi-evergreen. The foliage can be highly decorative itself with marbled patterns or a silver sheen to it. The most popular variety is the ‘Christmas Carol’, by far. This smaller variety bears white flowers very early in the season, hence its name. The late winter and early spring flowering varieties are just as gorgeous in their own way with rich colours, dotted petals or delicate double flowers. They thrive in shaded areas but can be grown in sunny spots as well, in well-drained, peat-free soil. Avoid moving your plant once it is established, equally, do not divide your Hellebore. It is preferable not to disturb its roots.
Helleborus, Photo by Katrin Hauf
The winter Heather (Erica), just like the hellebore, is a great source of food for pollinators in the winter months. This evergreen shrub grows to 25cm high for most varieties but there are a few tall ones too like ‘Albert’s Gold’ growing to 5ft. Although they can tolerate a certain amount of shade, they are best grown in full sun to keep a compact shape and avoid the stretching of the branches. They typically flower in shades of white, pink or purple from December/January until March/April.
Wallflowers, Photo by Dear Sunflower
Wallflowers are the queens of fragrance in the cold months. Well, not all varieties are scented, but even without the perfume, they are very long flowering and will provide colour for months on end. ‘Bowles Mauve’ is a proven garden favourite. This unscented variety just keeps on flowering, producing racemes of purple flowers. A great choice for poor soils, it is very undemanding. For striking blooms that dazzle in both colour and fragrance, ‘Winter Orchid’ is ravishing. The flowers have a coppery hue when young, before turning purple as they age, and their perfume is simply exquisite. Being an evergreen perennial, it ensures your garden remains vibrant throughout the year.
Versatile Shrubs
Our mind goes instinctively towards evergreen shrubs for winter interest. They provide colour all year-round with their foliage and are indispensable in any garden design to add the structure needed. But some shrubs go even beyond that. Extra fragrant flowers in the middle of the winter, fiery colours, you name it. They go that extra mile to make your garden fabulous.
Sarcococca Confusa
Amongst the scented shrubs, two stand out for their breathtaking perfume: The Sweet box and the Daphne. The first is an evergreen shrub with smallish dark green leaves. In winter, the branches are covered with small white flowers, facing down, and exhaling a sweet honey scent. They are shade tolerant as well so you will surely find a spot for this underrated shrub. The Daphne ‘Jacqueline Postill’ on the other side, will need a bit more room but it can be underplanted with other winter beauties. It flowers in clusters, in purplish-pink and white and is highly fragrant. It needs a more sheltered position, in full sun preferably. Mind that it is slow growing so you will have to be patient with this delicate plant, but it is well worth the wait.
Daphne 'Jacqueline Postill' by Magnus Manske
Another fragrant shrub, the Hamamelis flowers on bare wood to show off its frilly flowers in shades of yellows, oranges or reds. The Witch Hazel is a large shrub, and most varieties will eventually grow to 3-4 meters high and wide, so you need to leave enough room for healthy growth. Prefer a site in full sun for good flowering and in neutral to acid soil for a good root establishment. Deciduous, it puts on a show in the Autumn too when the leaves take on fiery shades.
Witch Hazel, Photo by Laura Ockel
Charming Trees
Trees are often disregarded when it comes to winter interest. However, these garden cornerstones can play an important part in the winter spectacle. From brightly coloured bark to flowers, a few species will make you to look up and smile.
Acer Sango-Kaku by RowlandKidman
Amongst the Japanese maples, two particular varieties stand out. They are otherwise attractive during the rest of the year but reveal their colourful frames in winter. ‘Sango-Kaku’ with its bright red bark and ‘Bi-hoo’ with its bright yellow one. The first is much larger than the second, as it can reach 6m in height while the second will grow to 2 meters and is better suited to smaller gardens. Like all Japanese maples, they will thrive in a spot in partial or dappled shade, away from the midday sun and strong winds that could scorch their leaves. For a similar effect but in a smaller size, you could try the Cornus. This shrub is extremely hardy and its bark just as decorative. Try ‘Mindwinter Fire’ or ‘Alba Sibirica’ in arrangements, in large pots, underplanted with cyclamens and evergreen grasses.
Still in a Japanese vibe, the Prunus Autumnalis Rosea is the winter-flowering cherry tree. This tree may not be as spectacular as its cousins when in bloom, but the flowering season lasts much longer. The pale pink, semi-double flowers open from late autumn to early spring when the weather is mild. The tree itself is ideal for urban gardens as it remains reasonably small (6 meters high for 3 meters wide).
Bigger again and spectacular, the Mimosa tree (Acacia Dealbata). The star of the Mediterranean garden is an outstanding feature in a sunny garden. It is borderline hardy, so it is suitable for the coastal garden only where the frost doesn’t set (it can tolerate up to -5 ºC). It will require a neutral to acidic soil but also well-drained and sandy. If you can provide this along with a spot in full sun, the Silver Wattle will reward you with abundant, small, round, bright yellow flowers in Winter and Spring.
Acacia Dealbata, Photo by Dare Artworks
Although many days seem to be gloomy and grey, winter has much to offer to the attentive gardener. From delicate and small flowers to bold and bright features, winter plants can bring a bit of magic to any outdoor space while providing for the wildlife when it is most needed. So make a bit of space for these beauties and brighten up your days!
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