Winter

Through the winter months many people inadvertently ignore the garden, its too cold, too wet, days are to short the list could go on. But this is one of the main reasons a Horticulturist will plan ahead. The plants,trees and shrubs which give winter colour could easily have been planted back in September and even October. Time to settle there roots and ready to provide a display in those chilly overcast mornings, its what they do best.You could easily have planted for late winter into early spring probably without the need for numerous warming layers. So, what could you be looking forward to next year ?

Does your garden lack a little colour at this time of year, does it need a colour uplift in these dark mornings and short days. Okay, obviously there are plenty of Pansies,Violas,primrose in the garden centres but these are spring flowering plants, they are only flowering now because they have probably been in a poly tunnel or greenhouse being brought on to flower for customer appeal. As soon as they get planted outside its a shock and they just stop.

For a good bit of instant colour try using Heucheras ( varying colours ) mixed closely with an evergreen fern and a small evergreen grass such as Carex, with a few bulbs around its a guaranteed winter spot of colour.

Hellebores - Heuchera - Brunnera - Holly - Cercis Canadensis Ruby Falls - Liquidamber - Prunus Shirotae - Prunus Amanogowa - Hydrangea Quercifolia - Pieris - Camellia - Berberis - Azalea - Rhododendron - Callicarpa - Sarcococca Confusa - Chimonanthus - Hesperantha

Most of these are available so start thinking now about next year, and then you can plan the summer plants to go with them, a year full of colour in 2027, thats planning ahead in any garden. Question ? Call me 07575 107807 Mark

Hellebore Galanthus ( Snowdrop )

Beech, Buxus, Griselinnia Hydrangea Quercifolia Brunnera Scilla