Despite the flurry of snow that some of us awoke to earlier this month, it has been a mild autumn, the relatively clement weather ensuring that the garden is still in giving mode. My dahlias are continuing to put on a glorious show, my chrysanthemums, though leggy, are finally unfurling, and the winter roses have never been so abundant nor so beautiful. It’s all change now, of course, with the first frost kissing the earth and sunshine in short supply. The advent of shorter, darker days make me all the more grateful to hold onto this final encore of vivid colour just a little while longer.
The absence of an early cold snap has meant that the garden is thronged with so much more lush foliage than is usual for the time of year. I love how plentiful and alive it looks, though it has delayed some plans: I’ve had to hold off planting new tulip varieties for next spring until the late-giving perennials free up a little space.
One of the delights of the winter garden is not just its flora but also the fauna it attracts and supports. The birds are descending upon us in droves, feasting on the seed heads we’ve carefully preserved. These remnants lend a fragile beauty to the garden, their silhouettes stark yet lovely against a frosty backdrop, while also providing food for the birds just when they need it most And my crab apples, with their rosy red skins, delight the birds as much as they brighten my beds—a true win-win.
As autumn fades into winter, the garden transforms into a gorgeous collection of my favourite rich and earthy tones. While spring and summer’s riots of colour bring undeniable joy, there’s something grounding and intimate about the deeper hues of autumn foliage. Our beech topiary trees shimmer in exquisite golden hues, while the smoke bushes glow with crimson reds. These rich layers, scattered with fading florals like magenta dahlias and blush-tinged roses, paint the garden in the most warming of palettes – perfect for the cold season.
Amid the abundant crop of winter roses, there is one that always stands out for its sheer enchantment and resilience: the rose Desdemona. If you are an avid follower of our garden updates, you will see them featuring regularly because they simply carry on giving – these pretty stalwarts have been flowering since the spring and they’re still blooming with some force. For me, they epitomise the quiet magic of the winter garden – a perennial reminder that beauty can thrive in every season. I especially love bringing them indoors at this time of year, their delicate scent always bringing joy to my bedside.
