[ad_1]
Winter in the backyard is not necessarily all scorched earth, rotting plants, and trees that seem to have died.
In midwinter, the garden is not always the best. The trees are bare, the leaves are dead, and wet weather will leave them abandoned for weeks.
However, garden designer Brenton Roberts has a different view. He said there are many ways to make winter gardens look as beautiful as spring gardens. Using the right elements, a winter garden can have an amazing impact through its silhouette, structure, and color.
His Adelaide Hill Garden is a delightful example.
Bare branches spread out gracefully on the wall, along the grid lines, rotting straw-colored leaves make the shape stand out, and a series of layers and green layers provide a textured tapestry.
Enthusiastic gardener, this is not his full-time job, Have a healthy follower on InstagramSimilarly, many people are observing the journey of his garden in the four seasons.
It is hard to imagine that when his family of five moved into the 5-acre Aldgate property in Adelaide 10 years ago, the garden was nothing but a steep slope. It is hard to imagine that there was nothing here.
Stunning silhouette
The deciduous Manchurian pear trees are now lined up on the hillside drive in Brunton. In winter, the window decorations of these wide trees create an elegant avenue of seasonal beauty. They use height and repetitive proportions to formalize the garden as a background for other parts.
“In winter, it is very important to maintain the structure of the garden, especially in gardens that tend to be deciduous trees and perennials,” he said.
The pear trees are arranged in perfect horizontal lines along the stone walls of his house, and the fig hedge along the path is low and is a plant that Brunton often arranges. The neatly trimmed branches, the corkscrew trimmer and the English box ball seem to be well maintained, but he said quick trimming can keep them under control.
“Structure and interest can also be achieved by using techniques such as espaliering and pollarding (removing the upper branches to form a dense head),” he said.
“While these techniques may seem daunting, time-consuming, and potentially tedious, plants are forgiving, and over time, the results can be spectacular and satisfying.”
Decaying plant
Brenton said that gardeners should never ignore rotting plants instead of pulling them out. Withered straw-colored leaves, such as towering artichoke plants and sedum, increase visual contrast during severe winter.
“Plants like Sedum’Autumn Joy’ will transition from dark green to yellow, and then to slender light brown, while retaining the flower heads for display. It is indeed a beautiful plant suitable for all seasons,” he said.
“Similarly, grasses such as miscanthus or Calamagrostis x acutiflora (feather reeds) will wither in winter and turn into a lovely straw color, which contrasts sharply with other grays and greens in the garden.”
Structured approach
A majestic oak tree at the top of Brenton Drive shows the undeniable beauty of mature trees.
But even with the dense leaf canopy, the terraced garden that Brunton formed in front of his cottage in the 1860s made this winter garden special. The upper floor is the lush lawn adjacent to the house, which is a practical place for children to play football and dog Toby, while Brenton uses it as a tee for his love of golf.
In contrast, the broken quartz courtyard framed by the London plane tree occupies the lower terrace, where the fire pit welcomes you into this cold environment as a social occasion. You can imagine the afternoon parties and long lunches that will be held in this picturesque area in the coming years.
The dike between the floors is the work currently being done in Brunton, but in other respects, young private green hedges are beginning to take off and one day will surround this garden room, while also helping to ease the gully wind that is sweeping the area.
Although terraces organize the garden, structural plants, such as pruned teucrium fruticans balls, pencil pine, and giant cacti, become more visible in winter than at any other time of the year and are allowed to shine.
“Using evergreen plants, such as Cupressus sempervirens Glauca (pencil pine), helps provide height and interest, and creates a good contrast as the perennials are declining.”
Color story
The green layer, from blue-gray green to dark leaves, provides depth and tone. Carefully trimmed boxwood and succulents are a repetitive feature, with the colors of lavender, bright yellow-green euphorbia wulfenni and purple spiky sage, and creeping rosemary.
Gardening tips for the perfect winter garden
“Although gardeners have fewer flowering plants to choose from in winter, these are some good choices that help to gain color and interest at this time of the year,” Brenton said.
● Don’t ignore hardscape elements that increase the tactile and sensory effects, such as gravel roads, which provide a reassuring crunch under your feet.
● Brenton collected old iron gates (try Gumtree) to add personality and sense of history.
● Evergreen climbing plants such as Chinese star jasmine or climbing fig are very suitable for hiding tired walls or fences. They are substitutes for more gorgeous deciduous climbing plants such as Boston ivy or Virginia creeper.
● Techniques such as espaliering and pollarding (removing the upper branches to form dense tree heads) create structured lines and clear shapes.
● Cut out English or Japanese squares, wisteria or lavender balls to help maintain color and structure in winter.
●In order to fight against winter weeds, planting ground cover plants is a simple and good way to solve this problem. Brenton’s favorites include creeping rosemary, cypress and cotoneaster dammeri, all of which form a thick carpet of leaves.
For all your gardening ideas, inspiration and suggestions, please visit us at home.
[ad_2]
Source link