Over the FENCE
Evergreens are stars of the winter show
The gardens around her new house in Urmston, Manchester, are a haven of discovery and are gradually revealing their glories as the months pass.
December was a bit of a washout. I’ve been sitting indoors mentally planning the borders for next spring. It’s not been a waste of gardening time, however, as I’ve managed to clean my tools, tidy the shed and organise the many packets of seeds we’ve collected over the past year into a monthly sowing schedule.
It’s at this time of year I really appreciate the evergreens in the garden. Many are architecturally dramatic, such as Fatsia japonica. This is a spectacular shrub with shiny leaves and creamy white balls of flowers. I also enjoy the
Skimmia japonica, with its glossy leaves and masses of flower buds. I remember loving its scent as a girl and was delighted to discover it in our garden. Another evergreen adding interest is the heather ‘White Perfection’ that tumbles over the rockery in the front garden. It contrasts beautifully with the blue-grey of a ground cover conifer, Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’. We’re lucky to have inherited a number of striking heuchera. Each plant is different and their leaves vary in colour from shades of green to copper. I’ve noticed they spread out this time of year into large, flat rosettes that help to compensate for the plants around them dying down for winter. I’ve added some bright cyclamen to the mix down the side border. The vibrant reds and whites certainly draw the eye with their splashes of colour.
Unfortunately, a hellebore ‘Christmas Star’ I bought last winter seems to have died. It’s a shame as it produced a wonderful crop of flowers. I’ve bought another and I’ll try it in a different place this time.
While I was in the garden centre I also bought a lovely camellia. I couldn’t resist it and will keep it in its pot (away from the slugs) to plant out later.