How can I add colour to my garden in winter?

Question:

As winter approaches I would like to add some colour to the garden. What do you suggest?

Answer:

In the November issue of The English Garden, there is a wonderful feature on the RHS Wisley in Surrey in winter. This garden offers so much inspiration every month of the year but it proves that winter does not need to be colour free. Enjoy hot reds from the fiery stems of Cornus alba ‘Ruby’, Cornus alba ‘Alleman’s Compact’ and Cornus sericea ‘Red Coral’.

For flowers nothing much beats the scents and drama of Hamamelis x intermedia. The flowers are a rich orange/yellow and are a distinctive straggly design which is completely unique. For softer colour and yet more scent plant the evergreen shrub Sarcococca hookeriana var.digyna. Lower growing are the popular and well-known hellebores.

There are many of these to choose from ranging from white, through to pink and dark maroon. A favourite isH. Walberton’s Rosemary.

Now is a perfect time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials so go out and find your selection and get them in the ground this weekend. If you still want more ideas to add colour then head out and visit open gardens.

In our December issue we will be looking at roses with great hips that add colour so don’t forget to buy a copy.

Tamsin Westhorpe - Editor, The English Garden magazine