In the garden

A pock-marked, bell-shaped stone, mottled with lichen, rests on a bed of dried leaves, their edges curling around its base in subtle shades of bronze. In winter, most plants are dormant, and the garden becomes a scene of contrasts, with dark silhouettes highlighting its starker beauty. Natural materials taken from the season’s bounty can be used to create decorative motifs in the garden, bringing interest against its barer canvas. Unusual shaped stones and fallen leaves are ideal and can be combined with slender twigs or flaking bark to add texture. Experimentation will yield the best results, and a variety of materials, shapes and layers can be explored to create different effects.