The Winter Garden is long and narrow, so the meandering path allows new surprises on every bend. Its position takes full advantage of the low winter sun, which picks out the details of the unusual plants along the way. Over the next three years, we are embarking upon some changes to various areas that will rejuvenate and give added sparkle to the route. The colour palette has changed much since it was first planted, and to reflect that, we are choosing new types of plants that represent winter plantings for the 2020’s and beyond. There will be a great deal of mulching with the replanting to ensure that our new plants will settle in well and be as resistant to dry weather as possible.
Winter colour
Glorious colours are displayed by plants such as Scarlet Willow and Red-barked Dogwood, which dazzle with orange and red respectively. Silver-fern bramble shines pure white and it won't be long before Hellebore flowers add a little colour into the mix.
Full of scent
It's not only through the eyes that pleasure is found. The air is full of the scent of Sarcococca (Christmas Box), Mahonia, Chimonanthus (Winter Sweet) and the very sweet perfume of winter-flowering honeysuckle. Early-flowering Narcissus add their scent to the spring air.
There are tactile elements to the route as well, a Tibetan Cherry (Prunus serrula) has copper coloured bark that demands stroking as you pass and the Himalayan Birch with their ghostly white stems create the same feeling.
You could say it’s a walk for all the senses that’s equally rewarding on a bright day, as it is on a day where the sky is gloomy and grey.