Home | Put the bloom back in your garden this winter

All gardening plans and aspirations went awry this year following the miserable summer, but there is still some time to transform and prepare your garden this winter.

The bad summer did more than dampen our spirits; it wrecked havoc on our garden aspirations and planting power. And despite the fear of another bad winter, you can still enjoy a beautiful garden this season.

Gardens look bleak and drab  in winter when they solely comprise of deciduous trees. Evergreen plants add that illusion of fullness and colour as they hold onto their foliage and give structure to the space.

The two main types – conifers and broad-level evergreens – are great in the winter garden. Conifers, such as pine, cedar, fir and spruce, are hardier than broad-level evergreens and make excellent shelterbelts for exposed gardens.

The cheerful shine of holly and laurel leaves and the light green of griselinia can lift the garden’s colour. It is essential to use evergreen plants with restraint. Too many will cut out light from the low winter sun and make the garden gloomy. According to Bord Bia, an approximate ratio of one evergreen to three deciduous plants is desirable.

A vast selection of plants open their flowers during the winter months. These include trees, shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials and bulbs. Some of the best shrubs include daphne, viburnum, winter sweet, witch hazel and mahonia.

Perennials, such as bergenia, winter aconite and hellebores, are also useful for giving colour at a low level. Winter jasmine is one of the best climbing plants for winter flowering with its bright yellow flowers.

Bulbs, such as snowdrop and crocus, are also perfect for providing intense flower colour in the late winter.

As more people embrace planting of food in their garden, now may be the best time to consider adding plants bearing berries and fruits.