As part of a NEW Hildreth’s regular feature, our in-house expert and ex gardening magazine editor, Gareth, shares his garden-centric thoughts!
Hello everyone, it’s Gareth from Hildreth’s…
Cold, wet and miserable – sadly that’s the fate of many gardens at this time of the year. Many moons ago, as a writer, I had to preach the joys of gardening, whatever the season. Encourage readers outside to enjoy a garden’s many highlights. Even in January. And so we featured an eclectic mix of winter winners, from the magnificent yellow blooms of mahonia ‘Charity’ to the subtle perfume of wintersweet, Lonicera fragrantissima, and the early charms of hellebores. These all deserve a place in our gardens. Another winter plant I’ve always enthused about is the snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis. There’s even a special word if you’re a snowdrop-lover – you’re a galanthophile.
A successful winter garden relies heavily on structure, with evergreens such as yew, holly and box acting very much as a backbone. Against these, more transient beauties such as grasses shine. Indeed, their ethereal seed-heads often look best against a low winter sun. Proof entirely that winter gardens can be beautiful. There’s plenty to enjoy, even if you have to search a little harder. And, with inclement weather, perhaps wait another day. A sharp frost, a spider’s web and an intense blue sky can be a truly magical sight. One that makes you glad to be alive. So, my advice, when asked how to make the most of a winter garden, is to treat it as a piece of theatre.
Focus on just one small part, create a set and dress it well – complement a painted arbour with an evergreen climber such as Clematis armandii (let it twine attractively around the supports) then add a comfy seat and team it with colourful glazed containers. Plant these with winter stalwarts such as Skimmia japonica Rubella and Cyclamen hederifolium. Leave other parts of the garden completely wild, untamed by human endeavour, it’s very simple to do, and is, after all, great for diversity.
Are you following us on social yet? Catch more tips from Gareth there! And don’t forget to sign up to our monthly newsletter and follow our socials for more news and offers.
If you have time, please leave us a Google Review here. We’re independent and family-run so we’d really appreciate it.