102 Garden design I
n winter, a garden is stripped down to its bones. There is nowhere for bad layout or design to hide. It should be capable of
looking good without any planting at all. A strong, well-designed layout is perhaps the most important element of any garden. If the shape and form are pleasing then you will be more inclined to spend time in it even at this time of year. Assuming your terrace has some shelter from the wind and a comfortable seat, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to sit outside on a sunny day, even if it is only for ten minutes. A firepit can be used all
year round, day and night. Winter barbecues can be immense fun when it is truly dark and you can fully appreciate your garden lights. Add candles in jars and strings of white fairy lights to enhance the effect. Choose your hard surfaces
with care to minimise how slippery they get. I tend not to use timber decking unless it is going to be in a very sunny spot because it just wasn’t intended to be used in the damp Devon climate. There are other excellent products
Above: Daphne bholua ‘Jacqe- line Postill’. smells wonderful
by Colette Charsley Where have all the flowers gone?
shouldn’t be able to sit outside on a sunny day
is no reason why you
There
available that are virtually indistinguishable from wood and don’t turn into a skating ring when they are wet. Water can also look stunning. Once the plants have
retreated beneath the surface for the winter, an unadorned sheet of dark water will act like a huge mirror reflecting the sky. To make the most impact, do ensure that the pond has a strong shape and no nasty wiggly edges that will detract from the effect. There are a surprising number of plants that can give great
pleasure at this time of year too. Sarcococca, Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’, Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ and some of the witch hazels have beautifully scented flowers. Prunus serrula, silver birch, willows and dogwoods have dramatically coloured bark. Structure and form are especially important and it is not
just evergreens that can achieve this. Some plants die really well. For instance, many of the ornamental grasses, sedums and phlomis will stand all winter and look especially beautiful when backlit by the low sun. Summer will return – but wrap up warmly in the interim and go and have a cup of tea outside.
Above: Phlomis seedheads
colette@charsleydesign.com www.charsleydesign.com t: 01548 581753 m: 07774 827799 Follow me on Twitter @ColetteCharsley
Professional Landscape & Garden Design
Creative and beautiful designs for village, town and country gardens
Colette Charsley PG Dip OCGD t: 01548 581753 m: 07774 827799
colette@charsleydesign.com www.charsleydesign.com
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