The Garden in Winter

The reduced amount of daylight hours and inclement weather can make winter into the season when there is less activity in the garden. But as well as maintenance and preparatory tasks, the cold season can be the best time of the year for some gardening activities and for trying out some ideas.

Winter Color Through Contrast

Winter can be a good time for accentuating color contrasts. Tree shapes, bereft of leaves, come into their own as the months grow colder. Berberis is one shrub example that is useful for its effect. Snowdrops are a popular choice, which if numerous after flowering, should be lifted and divided to prevent over-crowding. The small but tough crocus is another traditional favorite.

Paths using meandering shapes help create visual interest throughout the year, but some add an extra effect in winter due to the limited yet changing light. Slate, brick and most stone paths will offer something in this regard. Adding lighting on paths, drives and under trees is a method of creating spectacular effects.

Plants with colorful stems are another way of adding color, accentuated during winter as the majority of plants are at a low ebb, even if not completely dormant. Many varieties of cornus and salix are useful for this, and if acers are already part of the garden scheme, they also create a positive effect.

Containers, Winter Baskets And Features

A very effective patterned display can be created using a set of winter containers, suitably inhabited with, for example, winter aconite or cyclamen, that can be positioned for best effect. If using containers in winter, as a general rule one good watering per month is usually sufficient. Thereafter, a regular inspection and clean-up should be all that is required.

Winter features can be created using evergreen topiary or even erecting temporary structures that can be decorated, for example from flatpack frames. Tulips can be planted ready for a spring show, ideal for the patio if planted in containers. The probability of a good show can be increased by planting the bulbs in layers.

Winter baskets can be used to add color to the garden. They can be used to start off some plants that can be planted out when spring arrives. For example, a young shrub could be started as the centerpiece for a hanging basket in winter before being planted in the garden later. Here, colored varieties of cyclamen can add color, while ivy can be used a surround and also hides the edges, making the entire basket more pleasing on the eye. Heathers, chrysanthemums and polyanthus are other useful winter garden flowers for colorful baskets.