UK gardens can look a little bit gloomy at this time of year and for most of us it’s a period of waiting, until spring introduces life back into our gardens.
We too easily accept that our gardens are going to look drab over winter, don’t! There is so much that we can plant to stimulate the senses.
Last week, I re-visited the Winter Garden at Wakehurst Place, I first saw it a year ago, when it opened, 33,000 plants in a dynamic contemporary design.
It is stunning, you instantly feel immersed in the calming beauty of the space; the mass planting, rich textures, scents and vibrant colours of the Cornus ‘Midwinter fire’
Few plant varieties have been used en mass and the visual impact of the planting is just breathtaking!
The open vistas allow the eye to see through the garden and beyond. It draws you in; there is a feeling of openness, just like we might feel in a winter landscape.
Walking around you’ll be seduced by the sweetest of scents, Daphne and
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ Witch hazel
It has yellow sweetly scented flowers in winter. The tiered branches contrast well with the vertical stems of Dogwood
The dramatic white trunks of the Himalayan birch trees, Betula utilis var jacquemontianii take centre stage.
It’s a perfect place to be beat the January blues, it’ll definitely lift your spirits, a must see !
Thinking of planting for winter interest or a new garden design, we’d love to hear from you. Claire Winchester Landscape & Garden Design info@clairewinchester.com 07714 336116 Claire Winchester
www.clairewinchester.com