Brrrr… But thinking about getting out into the garden is often worse than actually being out there. Once I’ve made it outside I find plenty of jobs to do, and wonder why it took me so long. And it’s true a winter garden is a fabulous place, and December in the garden can be pretty special. Whether it’s the delicate flowers, intoxicating fragrance, evergreen foliage, tactile barks and bright jewel-like fruits and berries.
Winter displays come to life on sunny days, but for a moment of magic you can’t beat a frosty morning - remember to take your phone (or camera) to capture some great shots of leaves and buds coated by crystals.
There’s jobs for winter too - clearing away the remains of summer’s bedding, sweeping up the final fallen leaves of autumn and improving the soil by forking in generous quantities of compost. Not forgetting the birds, regularly cleaning and topping up their feeders and birdbaths.
Plants for winter colour:
Winter honeysuckle
Daphnes
Witch Hazel
Winter Jasmine
Winter Heathers
Holly
Rowan
Snowberry
Pyracantha
Gardens for winter colour inspiration:
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire
Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge
RHS Garden Harlow Carr’s Winter Walk
Cambridge Botanic Gardens
Dyrham House and Park, near Bath
Bressingham Gardens, Norfolk
Dunham Massey’s Winter Garden, Cheshire
Barnsdale Gardens, Rutland
From this list I’ve only made it to Anglesey Abbey and Harlow Carr, so would be very keen to see your visits to any of these gardens, if you’ve been. Otherwise I’m looking forward to reading any garden-related posts.
