Make your garden last longer than May to September
Seasonal plants, especially those that perform outside of summer, are essential for a garden with year-round interest. My favourite time for gardening is late winter and very early spring – February and March. There is so much hope at this time of the year and things to look forward to. Many people have called me nuts for labouring in the cold. I advocate for ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’.
You can also really appreciate new life erupting at this time. Watch seasonal plants emerging earlier every year (thanks to climate change). There’s no smell of burning sausages from barbecues to put you off, kids thudding footballs or the cacophony of lawnmowers buzzing in your ears like demented wasps. Read about my garden in pictures for September.
Seasonal plants – Winter: December to February
There is a tranquillity about winter that’s rather special. If you want to extend your gardening year, it takes some planning. Flowering plants in winter are rare – look at the shape, form and colour of leaves, stems, bark and berries to liven up your garden. Of course, there are exceptions like witch hazel (Hamamelis).
Evergreens come into their own in winter. Look for combinations like dark green or variegated shiny holly contrasting with beech’s dull copper winter covering of dead leaves. A blast of fragrance on a cold day can be intoxicating – here are my recommendations for scented winter plants.
Spring: March to May
Bulbs are your best bet for spring but remember to plant them from September to November – December at the latest for tulips. Daffodils, etc, are a beautiful sight and the ultimate spring seasonal plants (especially if they’re scented), but the new fresh foliage is lovely. On a warm spring day, you can almost hear everything growing.
This is the time for woodland flowering plants, like anemones and early cyclamen, desperate to get their seed set before the deciduous trees come into leaf and block out all the sunlight. It is possible with a bit of thought to have an all-year-round interest – get planning! Looking for a gardening gift? Check out the Rude Botany T-shirts for a cheeky gift!
