Crafting Rich Aesthetic Winter Pots for Late Spring Interest
- phoebesperrin
- Nov 13, 2024
- 4 min read
13TH NOVEMBER 2024
Creating Winter Pots That Shine: A Bold Gardening Journey
As the days grow shorter and the temperature dips, many of us find ourselves retreating indoors, seeking warmth and comfort. However, the garden doesn't have to be neglected during the colder months. In fact, winter is a perfect time to craft seasonal interest that not only withstand the chill but also pave the way for a vibrant spring.
This year, I’m taking a bolder approach to my winter pots, trading in last year’s gentle palette of neutral greens, soft pinks, and whites for a dramatic blend that promises to brighten the gloomiest of winter days.
Embracing Bold Aesthetics
Last year's winter pots were soothing, understated, and perfectly in line with nature’s winter hues. While there’s certainly beauty in that softness, I felt the urge to shake things up this year.
The drabness of winter can sometimes feel oppressive, and I believe that horticulture is no longer just about what’s practical; it's also about joy and self-expression. A bold palette can lift spirits and transform our outdoor spaces into a riot of colour and life, even when the landscape seems barren.
The Art of Mixing Old and Modern Plants
Creating visually striking winter pots is not only about aesthetics; it’s about resilience. A diverse range of plants leads to character and ensures that even in the harshest of climates, some aspects of your arrangement will thrive. This philosophy takes me into the garden centers to scour for old favorites that many may overlook and to discover new finds that bring a modern twist.
The Bold Centerpieces: Pittosporum and Phormium
At the heart of my winter pots, I've chosen Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' and Phormium 'Platts Black.'
Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' is particularly fascinating due to its contrasting colours. The older growth boasts a rich, deep byzantium purple with maroon undertones, while the younger leaves emerge as a bright, acid green. This evergreen shrub ensures that there’s no messy leaf cleanup during winter and a full display throughout the year.
I prefer to prune it during the summer when it's most vigorous in its growth to ensure the spherical shape is kept.
Alongside the Pittosporum, the choice of Phormium 'Platts Black' adds an appealing dynamic. This striking evergreen plant showcases leaves that change from a deep byzantium purple to a royal ruby tint. While Phormiums are often shunned in garden design due to their potential to become large and woody, 'Platts Black' proves to be a manageable and beautiful specimen in this winter arrangement.
Textural Contrast: The Graceful Stipa tenuissima
No winter pot would be complete without texture. Enter Stipa tenuissima, a staple in many of our sunny gardens. This ornamental grass is known for its delightful self-seeding and, although older specimens may become woody, they perpetuate young plants effortlessly.
Swaying gently in the wind, this grass provides an excellent contrast to the rigid structure of both the Pittosporum and Phormium, inviting movement and softness to the arrangement.
The foliage of stipa tend to darken its seed heads into this brown orange whilst the base of the structure will remain a vibrant green compliment the opposing colours of the dark hues of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' and Phormium 'Platts Black.' whilst mirroring the new foliage of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'.
Aromatic Accents: Rosemary ‘Miss Jessop’s Upright’
Adding a touch of fragrance to the pot is Rosemary 'Miss Jessop's Upright.' Nestled among the ornamental grasses, its delectable scent will emerge with every brush past. Unlike the more ostentatious blooms, rosemary’s delicate flowers will blend harmoniously with the violas and tulips to follow, creating a seamless connection within the pot as we transition into spring.
Seasonal Flowers: Hardy Violas
While I usually steer clear of most annuals that don't self seed easily this year I've made an exception for a couple of beautiful Viola varieties, including:
Viola Trailing Purple
Viola × wittrockiana 'Ruffles Purple White Rim'
Viola Purple – in Bud and Bloom
These violas are a fantastic choice for winter pots, acting as an attractive undergrowth for the shrubs and grasses above, ensuring we don’t have unsightly bare soil during the cold months. Their ability to trail gracefully over the pot's edge adds a whimsical touch, enhancing the overall visual appeal.
The Magic of Bulbs
Finally, let’s not forget the hidden treasures hidden within the pot: the bulbs! Bulbs are what truly turn this arrangement into a magical display come spring. This year, I’ve selected an assortment that will create a stunning spectacle:
Blending the hinted colours of Viola, Rosemary 'Miss Jessop's Upright' & Stipa tenuissima
Daffodil 'Ice King'
Crocus 'King of the Striped'
Crocus 'Remembrance'
Blending the hinted colours of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' and Phormium 'Platts Black.'
Tulip 'Black Parrot'
Tulip 'Parrot Rococo'
Tulip 'Double Alison Bradley'
These colourful bulbs will spring forth as a delightful surprise when the winter finally thaws, adding layers of interest and excitement to my pots when the seasons transition.
As we settle into winter, it's the perfect time to start thinking about creating beautiful winter pots that can transition us into a vibrant late spring. By combining dramatic colors, diverse textures, and a captivating combination of plants, we can craft arrangements that withstand the chill while leading us into a season of renewal.
I hope you find inspiration in these ideas and embark on your own winter pot creations!
Click on the link below to see the overall riot of colour and life
'Winter pots mood board 2024'
Click on the link below to see the overall soothing, understated & softness of 'Winter pots mood board 2023'
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