NOW’S THE TIME TO MIX COLOUR AND TEXTURE
This season is in many ways, the best time of year for a container gardener. Why? Well, firstly, the pressure’s off! Chores such as watering and fertilising have diminished, leaving you time to simply enjoy the splendour of your pots. And this is the time of year when you might want to experiment with colours and textures you don’t normally mix in summer: bright, bold shades to cheer up dark winter days. Also, everything is building in anticipation of your winter-to-spring bulb transformation – all those colours, forms and varieties just waiting within your pots to burst forth.
A good starting point for your winter containers is to choose hardy perennials that will stand up to the cold – erysimum, heucheras, ivy, ferns and hellebores.
Next, think about more colour with violas, callicarpa berries, primulas and cyclamen. Purple and orange-coloured plants mixed with bright greens and deep reds can look stunning. Add texture by using grasses, heathers and plants with interesting leaves such as fuzzy lamb’s ears and cineraria.
When it comes to choosing bulbs, either go with an assortment or have a container filled to the brim with a single variety. I usually create a ‘pick-and-mix’ effect with a selection of different bulbs divided up between pots. This breaks up formality and creates a more natural feel in the spring. Turn the page for Isabelle’s plant list. Follow her on Instagram @thebalconygardener
This sleek freestanding heater with an adjustable stand will help you make the most of your outdoor space throughout winter.