Winter Colour

Last week I visited Kew Gardens.   On this dreary grey day in March, what really stood out was the winter garden.  From a distance, my eye was caught by the large clumps of dogwood (Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’) which have such a bright colour.  As well as ‘Midwinter Fire’ there is the red dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’), which on my visit was just bursting into bud, the red stems contrasting brilliantly with the bright green leaves.  Set in amongst the dogwood are blond grasses and the dark brown seedheads of Phlomis russeliana.  A backdrop of Spurge (Euphorbia characias wulfenii) (already in flower) and multi-stemmed white barked Himalayan birches completes the picture. 

Following a path further around to the other side of the birch trees, it was possible to see that the trees were planted in a bed of black grass (Ophiopogon) which looked really effective with the green leaves of the snowdrops (which had finished flowering) and a large grouping of ferns in the foreground.  This very simple but elegant planting would work all year round.  There were also Edgworthias (for both colour and scent), the contrasting leaf textures of Elephant Ears (Bergenia) and lots of Hellebores for colour.

The winter gardens at Cambridge Botanic Gardens and Anglesey Abbey are also excellent for inspiration.