It can often be very difficult to enjoy garden space in the colder months of the year, although there are some simple tricks which will give the area some added colour
With temperatures dropping and wetter conditions arriving, it has become increasingly difficult to keep on top of our gardens.
Many neglect their gardens during the autumn and winter months as it is often too cold and gloomy to enjoy them. That doesn’t have to be the case, however.
There are ways we can brighten up our gardens and add extra interest to them. Whether it be adding some simple lighting or giving plant pots a fresh lick of paint, interest can be added to our outdoor spaces. Luckily for us, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, via GardenersWorld.com, has listed 10 ways to make gardens look brighter this winter.
Simple lighting
A simple yet effective way of brightening up a garden. With the days shorter and it now getting darker around 4pm, outdoor lighting can ensure we actually still see our outdoor space and get to enjoy it during the drier periods.
The lighting can also be very nice to look at and make gardens that little bit more attractive in those gloomy months. A few tea lights in clear jam jars will do the trick, as will solar lights. Fairy lights could even be draped in a tree to add that festive look.
Evergreen topiary shapes
According to GardenersWorld, adding just one piece of evergreen topiary will add interest to gardens. Formal shapes such as balls, pyramids and cubes work well, while looser ‘cloud-pruned’ and organic topiary shapes are just as good. Box and yew are traditional plant choices, although small-leaved evergreens such as Ilex crenata and phillyrea work as well.
Fire pit or brazier
As previously mentioned, temperatures have now dropped and during the winter months it can get to below freezing in some areas of the UK. So, adding a fire pit or brazier can make the area much more warmer and comfortable. Many of these products can easily be placed on the patio for people to huddle around, meaning family members and friends will no longer be cold when they visit!
Painting
Adding colour to gardens through planting alone can be difficult, so painting or staining is a good way to fill the void. Whether it be pots, walls or fences, these can be given some instant colour to really add some life into gardens. While the great British weather ensures this isn’t permanent, it is a decent temporary fix to see us through to the warmer months.
Scented plants
Chimonanthus, daphnes, mahonias, sarcococca and viburnums are just some of the stunning winter flowering shrubs that deliver rich fragrance. Planting them close to the back door, in the front garden or beside a regularly used path will ensure their scents can be appreciated by not just you, but also by guests. Many of these shrubs are happy in pots so can be moved around during the winter.
Plant up patio containers
A common way to add some colour to our gardens is by adding pots to our outdoor spaces. Cyclamen, heathers, hellebores, pansies and variegated ivy are favourites among gardeners at this time of the year, while a shrubby evergreen plant such as rosemary or sarcococca work well in a large pot.
Get creative
Those with a creative eye may feel like they could weave something sculptural for their garden. Perhaps use flexible twigs and weave them into an eye-catching feature, or buy long lengths of hazel or colourful willow by the bundle.
Interesting shapes can be created by bending, twisting and weaving the stems together. Small woven twiggy balls look great hanging from trees, while something a little larger and abstract – such as a representation of an animal or much larger ball – make for a bigger centrepiece.
Silvery plants for sparkle
Plants that hold their grey or silvery foliage all winter are great for our gardens as they fit the season perfectly. Simply pop some into a large pot and they can then be transplanted into the garden next spring to provide interest for years to come. Silver bush (Convolvulus cneorum), Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ and Helictotrichon sempervirens are just some plants that look great.
Make a hotel for bugs
Bug hotels can be simple or fancy and while they are often nice to look at, they also benefit wildlife. Leftover lengths of wood can be drilled with holes, or bamboo canes can be cut into short lengths with the hollow ends exposed. Simply put these into an old wooden box or ditch the frame and tie them into a small bundle. It will likely attract all sorts of bugs, such as ladybirds, lacewings and beetle larvae.
Improve window outlook
Ensuring our windows are nice to look at is an easy way to improve how our gardens are viewed. You could install a windowsill container full of winter-flowering plants, or relocate anything attractive to ensure it can easily be seen from windows.
