This winter has been cold, plenty of rain, and plenty of gloriously crisp and sunny days, like this one above in my own garden.  Many winter highlights which give colour and evergreen backbone to the garden at this timeof year – lovely silvery Astelia….

Yukka…

Euphorbias…

And Mahonias (here in my parents’ garden)

and the wonderful red berries of Nandina (also in my parents’ garden)

Winter is of course a great time to get things really sorted – this new year period has been very busy.

I’ve been cutting back perennial detritis and spent seed heads left on for winter interest in my parents’ garden – leaves nice tidy, ‘clean’ beds ready for all the bulbs peeking through.

And tackling a new planting project of another client – first the clearing of the area ….

And now the setting out of all the new planting this week – including Cornus, Mahonia and plenty of hellebores and hydrangeas for a nice dappled shade area.  Watch this space!

Clematis chirrosa is a great star of this time of year – evergreen, tough as anything, and with the most lovely slowers in the depths of winter – an absolute winner.

Happy gardening!