Winter in the Garden

It is hard to resist the temptation to add more pretty blooms to the garden in the height of summer but the importance of planting in the cooler months shouldn’t be forgotten.

If you want to add structure and substance to your garden - such as with trees, hedges, roses and large shrubs, winter is the time to do it, just as long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.

Most plants are dormant now – meaning they are not growing new shoots, leaves, flowers or berries – and so find it much less stressful to settle their root systems into new surroundings than if you attempted to plant in summer when they have a lot more on their plates!

This is the only time of year you will find ‘bareroot’ or ‘rootballed’ plants available – these have been grown in fields, dug out and presented for direct sale without being grown in a pot.

The advantage of them is they are better value and usually more vigorous, giving you quicker results.

But that is not to say that you can’t get instant gratification by planting in winter.

Follow your nose when out shopping at the nursery as many winter flowers have the added bonus of fragrance, among them Mahonia, Sarcococca, Daphne and Viburnum x bodnantense.

Plant by doorways and paths where you can enjoy their scent whenever you pass by!