November 07 to march08

The winter colours of the garden cannot rival the riotous splendours of the other seasons, but at Cambo we do encourage the changes throughout the year and rather than rush to tidy and remove stems and leaves we embrace the season and allow it to express itself as nature intended.  Traditionally evergreens are used to supply winter interest but in the natural garden, grasses, seedheads, shape and foliage colour are also included.

The bronze resin statues in the garden are by the sculptor Alan Biggs. During the winter these are often set off by frost and snow effects and they add an extra layer of interest in the winter season.

In the woodland edge planting opposite the potting shed (1) interest is supplied by the red berries of Skimmia japonica and the scented flowers of the sweet box, Sarcococca hookeriana.  The spindle bush Euonymous alatus has curious spines running the length of its stems.  Later in the season flowering interest is supplied by Mahonia x Intermedia ‘Charity’ (upright yellow flowers) and the scented spidery blooms of Hamemellis.  Also note, by the walled garden gate, the elegant small tree with coral red stems, Acer palmatum ‘Senkaki’, and the ghostly white stems of Rubus cockburnianus.  Nearby is the ruffled peeling reddish bark of Acer griseum, an excellent tree for the small garden.

Going through the Garden Gate and turning right, on the left is:
The Calendar Bed  (2)
This border maintains its interest with the impressive sword like leaves of Phormium tenax and the buff seedheads of the grasses Stipa calamagrostis and Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’, upright persistent  seedheads echo the Phormium, providing rhythm.

Steppe Planting  (3)
With its high concentration of grasses the steppe looks good with frost effects.  The grasses help disguise some of the dying foliage.  The plants are selected to persist throughout winter.

The Annuals  (4)
The annual borders, surrounded by low box hedging, are fully cleared in December to await planting in late spring.

Cut Flower Area  (6)
Adjustments to the planting were made during October.  Winter interest is supplied by the low, ever popular, Stipa tenuissima and the large flower plumes of Miscanthus sinensis.  This is echoed by the upright plumes of Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’.   The shimmering grass, Stipa Gigantea, is repeated throughout this area.

Early Flowering Area (7)
The old standing bed was removed in October and replaced with a new design and additional tender plants will be planted in spring.

Naturalistic Potager  (8)
This area is cleared from 1 November into December when fresh manure is put on the beds to over winter in preparation for the next season’s design.

Double Prairie Borders  (9)
The double prairie borders are designed to persist over winter.  The winter skeletons and seedheads fade from yellow to brown and combine with the buff colours of the dormant grasses.  This area looks amazing with frost effects or a light covering of snow.