There is a common misconception that all plants look dead, sticky or have no colour in winter. However I'm going to introduce you to 5 plants for winter interest which prove that is simply not the case.
Winter is actually the perfect time of year for a well designed garden to show off. Flower beds can seem empty, and trees appear thin, revealing the layout and raw bones of the garden's layout for all to see. Whether the design uses sharp lines to form specific areas, or curves sweep through the space in front of you, this bare structure will reflect the shape and structure the designer intended.
A well designed space will flow and function all year round. It should continue to be usable and useful 365 days of the year come rain or shine. And your plants should do exactly the same.
Evergreen structure ensures year round privacy, ornamental stems add interesting texture, berries keep birds happy and bring with them bursts of colour, while bulbs start to remind you spring is just around the corner.
Whatever the type of garden you have, plants can always be used to ensure you have lots to enjoy in the winter months...
........................................
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
DOGWOOD 'MIDWINTER FIRE'
H: 1.5 Spr: 1.5 Flowers: Jun-Jul
This understated shrub doesn't stand out much in the summer months, but its slender orange-red flushed stems put on a show in winter. Small cream flowers appear in March and through the summer, until they turn into clusters of berries in autumn, when the leaves change to a deep crimson.
........................................
Galanthus nivalis
COMMON SNOWDROP
H: 0.1 Spr: 0.1 Flowers: Jan-Mar
It’s hard not to love these wonderful bulbs for adding colour to the garden early in the year. Notable for their nodding, fragrant white flowers, with the inner segments marked with green at the tip. Snowdrops look particularly good planted in large drifts where they will naturalise happily. A sure sign, spring is on its way.
........................................
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’
YELLOW WITCH HAZEL
H: 4 Spr: 4 Flowers: Jan-Feb
Witch hazel catches your eye with its tufts of bright yellow flowers spread out along its branches, and your nose with its strong scent. Even better, these shrubs require very little pruning, or maintenance at all, so you can simply sit back and enjoy all they have to offer.
........................................
Helleborus purpurascens
PURPLE-FLOWERED CHRISTMAS ROSE
H: 0.6 Spr: 0.9 Flowers: Dec-Apr
There is a hellebore for every aspect and soil type. These evergreen perennials provide excellent ground-cover.
Helleborus purpurascens are perfect for shady areas, with a long flowering period offering colour right through until mid spring. Remove stems after flowering and cut back old foliage in autumn to ensure they look their best when blooming.
........................................
Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’
JAPANESE SKIMMIA
H: 1.5 Spr: 1 Flowers: Apr-May
Winter is the perfect time for this evergreen to show off its dark leathery leaves and bright red berries. Sweetly-scented flowers appear in panicles in spring, followed by female flower heads, which once pollinated, turn back into berries again.