The HPS Rutland Group played host to well -known local nurseryman Nick Hamilton of Barnsdale Gardens at their January meeting. He brought some stunning images of treasures of the winter garden in his talk ‘Essential Winter Trees and Shrubs’.
Scent again showed its importance in the winter time but bright flowers usually have less scent. Hamamelis is so important as a source of pollen and nectar for queen bees. H. ‘Pallida is a good yellow scented one. Sarcococca, a well-known scented plant and the evergreen variety ruscifolia is garden -worthy because of that and its scented white flowers. Chimonanthus praecox with hanging flowers is heavily scented and a star in the winter garden but plant in a sheltered spot. Daphnes come into flower from January onwards in not too dry or wet conditions. Notable ones are ’Jaqueline Postill’, D. odora ‘Rebecca’ which has interesting leathery variegated leaves and D. mezereum.
The cheerful, scented Mahonia ‘Lionel Fortesque’ flowers from November to February and ‘Sweet Winter’ with its new bronze leaves and after flowering, later produces dark berries. Other noteworthy winter stalwarts are Viburnums and Ericas. Hydrangea ‘Nigra’, with its black stems and mopheads, looks good when covered in frost. Clematis tangutica seedheads look stunning and provide movement at this time. The common Pyracantha has its value and does require being kept in check. The best time to prune it is when flowering to avoid cutting off the berry producing stems. Nick reminded us to always buy them when carrying berries. Leaving Rosa rugosa to produce its striking rose hips gives another attractive addition to the winter garden. Most Pittisporums require some winter shelter but ‘Tom Thumb’ with its black stems and dark leaves contrasting with the light new growth, is one of the most hardy.
Trees give structure and conifers come into their own at this time. Taxus fastigiata is slender, so occupies little precious space. Pinus sylvestris ‘Gold Coin’, P. ‘Winter Gold’ and Juniperus ‘Carberry Gold’ are stunning golden conifers. If you have room the ‘Monkey Puzzle Tree’ looks amazing when covered in snow. Others giving interest are the ‘Twisted Hazel’ especially, ’Red Majestic with its dark leaves and purplish-pink catkins and ‘ Rubus Goldenvale’ with golden leaves in the Summer. Salix ‘Britzensis’, the scarlet willow and Cornus ‘Anny’s Winter Orange’ give good winter colour Betulas, birches, have much to offer with their contrasting barks and forms. Bark is also a prevalent feature of Acers and Prunuses and they are so tactile.
Views and atmospheres change so much in the winter with different weather conditions and the garden takes on different shapes and forms. Features such as arches to draw you through, trellises to support and show off plants and topiary shaped plants to make a striking statement, all contribute to making an interesting winter garden. Nick left us with plenty of ideas to use to enhance our winter garden.