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flower-bed-in-the-winter
PaulineG
Posts: 3
Hi
I'm pretty new to gardening and only this year graduated from pots to actually digging out a proper bed. All summer I have had Poppies, Sunflowers, Cornflowers and Lavender in this new flower bed.
It is at the front of the house in full sun and heavy clay soil. I have no idea what to do with it over the winter so it looks pleasant. I want to plant something in it to keep the colour and I have been thinking of pansies and crocuses plus daffodils and such like.
I was also thinking of one of those red dwarf dogwoods but I wouldn't want it to be in the way of summer flowers next year.
Can anyone give suggestions?
I have attached two photos. One of the bed when it was first planted and one taken yesterday.
Thank you.
0
Posts
A bed in winter will never look as good as a summer bed, but with careful planning you can have something in flower most of the year, though not very much in winter. Bulbs are a good bet, starting with snowdrops and chionodxa (Glory of the Snow). To bulk it out a bit, especially if there is a bit of shade, hellebores - but the leaves will still be there in summer. Violas are lovely, planted in the autumn they will be a mass of flowers once the weather starts warming up. Here is a link to the RHS page on Daphnes some of which flower in winter, smell wonderful and aren't too big.
Thank you Busy-Lizzie
I got that page on Daphnes and they look ideal for me. I especially like that they are fragranced as i walk past the spot to get to my car.
That's all great information
Thanks again
I forgot the link! http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=727
Thanks Busy-Lizzie
Its sometimes nice to have some evergreen structure left when all the perennials die down - I have some box balls in my flowerbeds that disappear in the summer (because they are hidden by other plants - not because they have magical powers) but come in to their own in the winter. They look great in frost and snow.