Gardening
“I think now is the time to take stock and look carefully at your garden”
gardening and so I generally recommend that we plant evergreens. These then become incredibly useful in the winter. Consider using holly, euonymus as well as pittosporum. All of these plants come in variegated colours that instantly provide extra interest in the garden and during the summer act as a fantastic backdrop to brightly coloured flowering perennials. Pittosporum tobira is another alternative as a lower growing, mound forming evergreen that gives shape to the border. If you are looking for scent as well as an
evergreen plant, Osmanthus x burkwoodii grows to around three metres high and has sweetly scented white flowers. I am also a huge fan of Sarcococca hookeriana digyna, again a beautiful structural plant with amazing scent that works really well in any size of garden. This small shrub is great planted near a pathway so the scent can be enjoyed. Consider using plants with interesting
stems, trunks or branches. Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ has incredible bright red stems in the winter, plant in groups for maximum impact and prune hard on alternate years. Early flowering bulbs such as snowdrops and crocus planted around the base will provide even more winter colour. Silhouette is often worth considering
during winter, use trees that create interesting outlines. Weeping trees are particularly effective including Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ with its dome shaped branches. Column and pyramid shaped trees also contribute to the overall effect, or the use of rounded, low-growing planting including hebe, box and yew. I have often proclaimed my love for
Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ with its semi-double winter blossoms on bare twigs which flower through to March. There is also Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’ which is a Japanese apricot and has amazing pink flowers, from February to March and works well in smaller gardens. This tree is incredibly pretty and the flowers are gorgeous. Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ is another
very pretty flowering winter shrub, with a rich honey-like scent; the flowers are on bare stems and will raise a smile from the most miserable person! The list is endless for winter gardens
from grasses, to trees as well as many shrubs that will provide flowers and leaves during these difficult months. With this framework in place, the garden becomes complete during the summer with the addition of flowering perennials. Get some inspiration from some of the
gardens open in the winter in our area, including Stourhead, King John’s House in Romsey, Kingston Lacey and open weekends during the winter. Get out your diary for the dramatic snowdrop displays at Heale House Gardens, which you can see when it reopens on 1 February. SL
www.mediaclash.co.uk Salisbury Life 59
Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ flowering in the winter
Yew, a real winner for the winter garden
Rosemary is the perfect all-year- round plant lending much needed structure during the winter
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