Seasonal - Plants for Winter Interest
Winter in the garden is often perceived as bleak and lifeless, yet there are many plants that can add interest to the garden at this time of year through fragrance and a splash of colour from not only flowers but also foliage or stems.
First of all, it is important to think carefully about where you site plants, try and put something of interest in a place where you pass by every day or in a position easily visible from a window.
Evergreens, which can easily go unnoticed in other seasons - when they often only provide a backdrop to flowering plants - really do come into their own at this time of year. Plants such as Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia and Mr Goldstrike can really brighten up a dull, shady corner, or Aucuba japonica Rozannie which has glossy, dark green leaves and wonderful scarlet berries. Skimmia are also valuable and, although many japonica types need both male and female plants for berries, there is a hermaphrodite form - Skimmia reevesiana which is more compact.
A particular favourite at the moment is Sarcococca (Christmas Box), which, although not particularly eye-catching, has the most intoxicating scented white flowers throughout the winter months.
Conifers while often assumed to stay the same all year round, some varieties undergo quite startling colour changes, especially varieties of the Cryptomeria family. Many pines (eg. Pinus mugo Winter Gold) also become brighter in colour.
We also have many plants whose stems alone add a splash of colour during the winter months, especially the Cornus family, including Cornus alba vars. Cornus sanguinea vars. and Cornus stolonifera vars. Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is also stunning when planted against a dark background, as is Alnus incana Aurea (an alder with lovely yellow / orange stems).
Many winter flowers are all the more noticeable as they are produced on bare stems. Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) springs immediately to mind, as does Viburnum x bodnantense Dawn and the cheerful winter jasmine. Perhaps less common is Cornus mas with its bright yellow balls of bloom.
At ground level, Helleborus (Christmas roses, Lenten roses) are invaluable and plants such as Epimedium, Bergenia, Lamium and Ajuga are great for ensuring one is not left with vast patches of bare earth.
It is also a good idea not to tidy up too much in the autumn as many flower and seed heads provide much needed food for wildlife. Plants such as Buddleja, Hydrangea, Sedum and many grasses are ideal, also providing structure over the winter months and often looking stunning on a frosty day.
A couple of thoughtfully placed pots will lift the spirits on even the dullest of days. Winter pansies, winter flowering heathers, Euonymus fortunei vars, Heuchera and Leucothoe Scarletta are all good choices. Corylus avellana Contorta would be a good architectural choice in a larger pot, as would any of the Ilex family.
As you can see, the choice at this time of year is far from restricted and, whatever your style of garden, winter is a good opportunity to get out into the garden and look for any little corners which may need a bit of a lift.