We are now firmly into winter, although some of the temperatures suggest otherwise we have had some cold weather but rain seems the order of most days. However grey skies and damp weather need not mean a dull garden. Winter gardens can be very spectacular, using the structure provided by evergreen plants such as yew hedges as a backdrop the coloured stems of Cornus (dogwoods) ,Salix (willows) or Rubus (bramble – such as the white stemmed Rubus cockburnianus) provide spectacular winter colour and interest. Combined with winter flowering species of Viburnum (such as Viburnum x bodnantense) or the berries of Callicarpa bodinieri (Beauty Berry) much needed colour can be introduced into the garden to great effect as the flowers or berries are displayed on bare stems. There is a subtlety and delicacy about these winter displays that is sometimes not present in the more luscious and vibrant times of the year. Another remarkable property of winter flowering species is the fragrance which is especially strong to attract the much rarer insect pollinators that are around in the colder months, try Sarcocca confusa or Lonicera fragrantissima (winter flowering honeysuckle).
The bark of trees is also more visible and stunning at this time of year trees such as Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple), Betula pendula (Silver Birch) and Prunus serulla (Tibetan Cherry Tree) provide even more interest.
To display winter plants to their best I would recommend a good dark compost mulch to provide contrast.
