As blooms fade it’s time to appreciate the flame-coloured foliage, delicate berries and intricate seedheads that emerge in our gardens. Before tidying with a leaf blower though, spare a thought for our native wildlife who love the shelter of fallen leaves over winter. As temperatures cool, you can enjoy the garden too, here’s how.
Warm your terrace
Cosy up to a log firepit on a comfy armchair, toasting your marshmallows on an open fire. My go to source is Fire Pits UK who have every accompanying accessory imaginable. For an ‘inside, outside’ feel, consider a bespoke gas fireplace as a focal point for your seating area.
Photo credit: Tom St Aubyn Photography
Light your garden
Appreciate your garden’s best features at night, from inside and out. A cleverly lit garden can look magical in Autumn and Winter with a combination of up lights, down lights and lanterns. Shadows and reflections create a sense of drama and bring an added dimension to the space.
Photo credit: Joanna Kossak
Plan for Spring
It’s a favourite pastime for all gardeners, the selecting of Spring flowering bulbs. You can never order too many. Refresh Tulips annually to maximise the display, taking care to select varieties that flower from March through May. Scented Narcissus are so uplifting in early Spring, try Narcissus Cheerfulness or Yellow Cheerfulness for those not averse to Yellow. Trusty Alliums bring height, glamour and a tonne of grateful bees in early Summer.
Photo credit: Tom St Aubyn Photography
Plant a tree
Providing the ground is not frozen or too wet, it’s a great time to get tree planting. A versatile choice for smaller gardens is Malus ‘Evereste’, so loved for its manageable height, various forms (multi or single stems, espaliers, umbrella shapes), profuse Spring blossom and pretty crab apples. For Cherry Tree fans, ‘Prunus Kanzan’ is awash with blousy pink blossom in Spring and burnt orange Autum leaves.
Cook outside
Many of our clients use their outdoor kitchens in the cooler months, preferring the flavours of a Sunday roast cooked over charcoal. A dream outdoor kitchen includes a sink, fridge, multiple cooking appliances and of course, a pizza oven. A well-designed garden kitchen can also add value to your home making them a smart investment.
Photo credit: Joanna Kossack
To inquire about Joanna Archer’s garden design services, please visit her website at www.joannaarchergardendesign.com or visit her Instagram page at @joannaarchergardendesign
