The Winter Garden
February 20th 2026
There’s a peacefulness to be found in our gardens at this time of year, a wintry stillness. Bare trees, shrubs and fallen leaves create a tangled tapestry, begging the question to prune or not to prune?
As a general rule of thumb, deciduous shrubs that flower in spring should be pruned straight after flowering. Shrubs that flower in late summer and autumn can usually be pruned in late winter or early spring.
There are some deciduous plants that require that require very little involvement from us at all. Small trees and shrubs, such as acers and deciduous magnolias, develop so gracefully that any interference should be kept to a bare minimum. Their natural habit is a beautiful sight to see in the winter garden.
Evergreens
Evergreen plants are a constant all year round. In winter their glossy green leaves help show off the colourful bark and stems of deciduous shrubs and trees such as the Himalayan birch (Betula utilis). The distinctive white, peeling bark of Betula jacquemontii positively shines when planted with evergreens.
In their own right, evergreens bring shape, texture, colour and form to the winter garden, essential components of a successful design.
Conifers are very welcome all year round, especially so in winter. The garden I am currently developing has a fine collection of established conifers that include a columnar yew (Taxus baccata) , white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and dwarf Albert spruce (Picea glauca).
The border where these conifers grow is now much bigger, giving scope for more of these diverse specimens to be planted. The best time to plant conifers is in early autumn or early spring when the ground is neither frozen or waterlogged.
The bed in front of the established conifers collects excess water from heavy downpours. Digging into it, I noticed the water table is high. To combat the pooling of water we have dug a trench around the area to allow excess water to flow into a sump and be pumped away. This channelling, clever landscaping, avoids the disruption and costs of land drains. The addition of composted bark, to the clay soil, will improve the structure prior to planting. Moisture loving plants such as hostas and specific ferns will thrive here, their lush, textural leaves forming a canopy to hide the natural water channels. Situations, such as this area, are often considered a challenge. For me it is an opportunity, a chance to work with the garden and the natural elements and a great space to grow some interesting plants.
Thankfully, the quietness of winter allows time to plan, to choose wisely and choose well. I’ll handpick my plants from the nursery, ready for planting in just a few weeks time.
Jacqui
