EMMA’S FAVOURITE WINTER PLANTS
Sweet olive, Osmanthus armatus: Pruned and painted creatively, this is an eye-catching feature of the winter garden. It is a cultivated ornamental evergreen shrub or small-growing, multi-stemmed tree, native to Asia. It is fully hardy in the UK and should be planted in full sun or partial shade where it will produce masses of creamy-white fragrant flowers, followed by dark purple-black berries in autumn, which attract wildlife. Once established, the domed canopy requires minimal pruning in late winter/ spring. The stems can be painted to dramatic effect with lime-based paint and recoated as required. Height 8-16ft (2.4-5m); spread 13ft (4m).
Common hornbeam, Carpinus betulus: “This is a great plant, which can be trained to dramatic winter effect,” says Emma. “Our pleached walkway of long-legged, copper-topped specimen trees brings rich colour and bold structure to our garden in winter. Its ruddy foliage clings on throughout the winter, forced off only in springtime with the advent of new verdant growth. Once established, it requires minimal pruning in summer to maintain its neat shape and reduce vigour to curb further upward growth. It is tolerant of our damp and heavy soil.” Height 12ft (3.7m); spread/clipped head 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m).
London plane tree, Platanus x hispanica ‘Malburg’: “This tree straddles our outdoor dining area and provides natural leafy shelter from sun and rain in summer,” says Emma. “In winter, bereft of foliage, it becomes a sculptural feature and looks like a decorative forged ironwork pergola.” This particular cultivar tolerates most soil conditions, is very resistant planted by hard surfaces and is much more compact than the species tree. These qualities make it ideal for garden planting. It responds well to pruning and is ideal for training and shaping. Height 35ft (11m) without pruning; spread 25ft (8m).
Chinese silver grass, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Fontäne’: An exceptional, free-flowering deciduous grass, which comes into its own in winter. Its mane of arching summer flowers, sapped of their reddish hue, decorate the winter garden with an abundance of waving, silver plumes. The seedheads linger on throughout the cold months, attracting foraging wildlife. They can be planted en masse or threaded throughout borders to provide a backbone of winter interest. Relatively quick-growing, these grasses will achieve their ultimate height in 2-5 years. Height 3-5ft (1-1.5m); spread to 3ft (1m).
Chinese fountain grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’: This particular perennial Chinese fountain grass forms shortish, rotund clumps of arching, strap-like foliage. Sprays of purple-tinged flower and seed plumes radiate upwards and outwards just like a water fountain. In winter, they catch the light and illuminate the beds and borders. Relatively quick-growing, they will achieve their ultimate height in 2-5 years. Height 18in-3ft (0.5-1m); spread 18in-3ft (0.5-1m).