In winter time you really get to see the garden stripped back and the bare bones of it become visible. The structure becomes the predominant factor. This, coupled with some classic winter planting can brighten up a drab and dreary time of year.
The careful placement of trees, shrubs and hedges help to create vista and viewpoints throughout the winter when flowers and foliage are lacking. A winter visit to Sissinghurst really shows how this can be achieved.
Pleached winter trees at Sissinghurst enhancing a vista
Crisply cut hedges framing a statue
Having a strong layout in a garden is so important and something which we as garden designers start with at the very beginning of every design. We think about the borrowed landscape, look at the existing features and tree placements that sit within the garden. We create new viewpoints and vistas to move you through your garden space as well as defining the structural layout of the garden at an early stage.
Details become so visible at this time of year, and you really get to appreciate the investment into unique paving. This is where garden designers can assist you in creating something out of the ordinary. Why just opt for a brick pathway when you can really have fun with artistic details such as this Maggy Howarth cobbled mosaic pathway at Gresgarth Gardens or the insertion of a little flower detail into a Victorian tiled pathway such as this one we commissioned for a garden design in Barnes last year.
Flower detail in Victorian Tile Paving
Maggy Howarth Mosaic Gresgarth Garden
Wrought iron railings can be really creative, commissioned pieces become artworks in the garden. We work with a select group of artisans to create those extra special details for your garden.
Planting at this time year is difficult to get right and needs to be complimented. Its all very well sticking a Cornus in your garden to give you some winter stem interest however it will not be shown of to its best if it has nothing else to work with, the same applies to ornamental grasses and seedheads. We know the importance of using the golden hues of the winter sun to light up such plants as well as what plants to use together. The pictures below show a perfect collection of complimentary plantings to give a good display at this time of year.
Seedheads in winter sun
Phlomis seedheads and Miscanthus
Our expert knowledge of plants and how to use them in the right setting comes into play in creating successful winter displays, we aim to create gardens which have a planting display that compliments each season in your garden. We know what plants work well together at what times of year and how best to use them.
Giving our clients a garden with unique artistry, sound structured layout which makes the best use of every situation is paramount to our services as garden designers. Get in touch if you wish to have your garden design by us.
