Winter’s bare truth
Welcome the skeletal, stark December garden as a fascinating study in structure and architecture
Hello December! Finally the garden moves out of the damp depths of November and slides into crisp, cold winter. All the nectar-rich plants have now died down and while we prepare for Christmas, many borders feel stark and skeletal and most plants are rebuilding their structures and regaining strength for the next growing season.
This end of the cycle is vital for plants and I always think that while many of us struggle with the winter blues, we could do worse than take some inspiration from how plants recharge in the winter garden. Maybe, in our busy lives, gardens can teach us to rest and to take stock so that when spring comes around you’re full of energy for a new start next year.
Looking out at my frosty garden today I am greeted by crystallised swathes of a skeletal framework, a fascinating study in structure and plant architecture. If you ask me right now what my favourite season in the garden is, I’d probably say December.
Every year I find myself looking out at the winter garden in wonder, fascinated by how the borders have evolved from the colourful, rich green explosion of summer growth to this: a tangle of russet brown grasses, golden stems and crispy seed heads, dusted in frost. One of the most striking things about the winter garden is how the inherent skeletal structure of a plant, shrub or tree slowly emerges. Over the weeks, while losing leaves and shedding excess growth, the garden morphs to a wholly different visual, leaving the bare bones of the space standing and revealing an unapologetically simple evocation of a garden. It’s as though the garden is saying ‘this is me’ without any make up or clothing.
So to celebrate the arrival of December and the beauty of the winter garden, here are my top ten plants for winter interest.
1. ASTILBE ‘BRESSINGHAM BEAUTY’
The frothy, fluffy seed head of this gorgeous plant loses its jewel tone in winter and fades to a feathery plume of texture in the shadier border. Likes: Full sun/partial shade and moist, humusrich soil. Flowering period: July. Height and spread: 0.9m x 0.6m.
2. MISCANTHUS SINENSIS ‘KLEINE FONTäNE’
This ornamental grass is frothy and structural until well into the next growing season. Likes: Full sun and fertile, well-drained moist and also sandy soil. Flowering period: August and September. Height and spread:
1.5m x 0.5m.
3. LIBERTIA GRANDIFLORA
Attractive seed heads which last for a very long time and look great in the garden in winter. The plant’s sword shaped leaves are evergreen too, so give great interest to the border in winter. Likes: Full sun or light shade and fertile, well-drained soil. Flowering
period: July Height and spread: 0.9m x 0.6m.
4. CROCOSMIA × CROCOSMIIFLORA ‘GEORGE DAVISON’
This wow factor plant might lose its fiery tones in winter but the elegant seed heads are just as valuable. Likes:
Full sun/ partial shade and moderately fertile, hum us-rich, well-drained soil.
Flowering period: July-August. Height
and spread: 0.9m x 0.15m.
5. MONARDA ‘CROFTWAY PINK’
Bees love this scented plant in summer and in winter it turns into a plant with striking vertical interest. Fluffy seed heads rise above perennials and give great structure. Likes: Full sun or partial shade and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Flowering period: July to September.
Height and spread: 0.9m x 0.45m.
6. ECHINOPS RITRO ‘VEITCH’S BLUE’
Gorgeous balls of structure — perfect planted with grasses. A great choice for the coastal and cottage garden and a super dried flower choice.
Likes: Full sun and well-drained soil. Flowering period: August.
Height and spread: 0.9m x 0.45m.
7. ALLIUM SCHUBERTII
Choose this striking ornamental allium for the structural beauty of their giant sprays of seeds which give translucent texture above ornamental grasses. Amazing for drying for vases and can even be used as a Christmas tree topper! Likes: Full sun and well drained soil. Flowering period: June. Height
and spread: 0.5m x 0.2m.
8. ACTAEA SIMPLEX ‘ATROPURPUREA GROUP’
A stately perennial whose bottlebrush-like, ombre effect flowers fade to brown to provide interesting silhouette in the winter garden. Likes: Partial shade and moist, fertile, humusrich soil. Flowering period: September and October. Height and spread: 1.2m x 0.6m.
9. ECHINACEA PURPUREA
These prairie style favourites are stunning planted in loose drifts and the seed heads are sources of seeds for birds. Likes: Full sun and most soils, except very dry or boggy. Flowering period: June to September. Height and spread: 1.5m x 0.45m.
10. AGASTACHE ‘BLACKADDER’
This stunning bee friendly plant has great amethyst coloured interest in the summer months and becomes a dramatic structural one in the winter garden. Likes: Full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Flowering period: August.
Height and spread: 0.9m x 0.4m.