12:10 - 10 November 2010
Every garden needs structure and year round interest and one of the best ways to provide this is to use evergreen shrubs. These are plants that retain their foliage throughout the year, providing a constant green effect in the border. Evergreen plants can be successfully used as vertical cover, ground cover or as feature specimens in the lawn or in the border. At most garden centres there are masses of evergreen plants in stock all year round, but the beauty of autumn is that it is the perfect time for planting and the best time to get these plants established well before next season starts in earnest.
Shades of Green and in between
Evergreens don't have to be green and in fact even the green ones can take on interesting hues in autumn and winter. For some rich purple foliage consider Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb'. It has small, shiny leaves that create a fantastic contrast with silver foliage plants. Or for the border choose Hebe 'Heartbreaker' that has glorious variegated foliage with pink hues.
Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' is a popular winter evergreen with attractive rose pink flower buds that open to clusters of white flower. Consider choosing a variation of this plant and look out for Viburnum tinus 'Gwenllians' which has purple berries and similar pink flower buds.
Another winter stunner is Buddleia 'Silver Anniversary' that has unusual start shaped white flowers and silky soft silvery grey leaves.
North facing walls can be difficult to clothe successfully, so consider using evergreens such as Cotoneaster horizontalis, Euonymus ‘Silver Queen’ and the glorious tassel bush Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’.
Seasonal scent
Don't forget that winter fragrance is a wonderful dimension in the winter garden. Look out for the aromatic foliage of Laurus Nobilis (Bay) or choose a winter flowerer like Elaegnus. Many people just don't expect a common garden plant to smell so good and most people won't notice it because they don't go out into the garden in winter. The flowers are really insignificant but highly scented.
Conifers make great winter interest plants too. There are a huge variety of foliage effects, colours and textures within this fascinating group of plants.
Aussie Splendour
For something a bit different, consider some colour from down under to jazz up the garden? Grevilleas are an unusual, underrated and really useful plant; there are lots of varieties with different growing habits. They are easy to grow, evergreen and fairly tolerant in terms of needs.
These exotic looking plants belong to the Protea family and have very striking flowers. They are easy to grow, like a warm sunny spot but may need some winter protection in hard winters. The plants need a well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. They are rarely affected by pests and diseases and make wonderful, reliable garden plants.
Sculpted plants
Any plant that takes on a distinct form over winter is open to the creative effects of the weather. Evergreen sculptures, tightly clipped hedges and topiary sculptures all have a part to play in the winter garden and wear their costumes with pride. Their rich green character makes a bold statement in the bare border and can be used to great effect very easily. Box remains one of the most popular plants for garden topiary and responds well to regular clipping. It is easy to grow, and can be propagated from cuttings. The main pest that affects box is a relatively new phenomena; Box blight, which can be imported into gardens via infected plants. To avoid problems buy your plants from reputable nurseries that will be on the lookout for pests and diseases.
