Colour in the winter garden

Walking through a garden on a dull winter’s day, I was struck by the contrast between the deep green foliage colour of the evergreen plants and the delicate silhouettes of seedheads. With little else in bloom, these natural hues stood out, drawing me in to appreciate their quiet beauty. In that moment, I was reminded of just how much interest faded herbaceous plants can bring to the winter garden.

To Cut or Not to Cut

Rather than cutting them back as soon as they turn brown, leaving certain stems standing contribute to the ornamental value of the garden while also providing valuable shelter for wildlife. Some insects hibernate inside hollow stems, while others find refuge from the winter cold, making these dried structures just as important as the living plants that thrive in warmer seasons.

When deciding what to keep and what to cut back, consider whether you can strike a balance—preserving some plants despite their faded appearance. There is an art to recognizing the beauty in dried plant material. Not all plants are suitable for winter structure, and often it’s worth tidying up what looks messy while keeping those that maintain their form well to maintain a ‘cue to care’ – clues that we subconsciously perceive as to whether a garden is cared for or left to grow wild. As winter progresses, plants that have collapsed or become untidy can gradually be removed, leaving only the strongest structures until late winter, when everything is finally cut back.

Creating Contrast and Structure in Winter

The winter garden’s beauty lies in its subtle contrasts, with colour and texture emerging from plants taking on different functions in the make up of the winter border. A backdrop of evergreen plants provides structure and a visual anchor, ensuring the garden remains engaging even in the colder months. Often taking the form of shrubs & sub-shrubs or evergreen herbaceous perennials, they offer a year-round framework that enhances the seasonal changes around them.

The herbaceous plants with their varying shades of brown create their own interplay—from the light hues of ornamental grasses to the deeper tones of dried leaves and the yellow-brown of fading stems. These muted colours add depth and contrast, proving that even in dormancy, plants can contribute to the garden’s winter charm.

By shifting our focus in winter from flowers as the main attraction to form, texture, and subtle color variations, we can appreciate the quiet beauty of the season. Embracing the interplay between evergreen foliage and dried plant structures allows us to create a landscape that remains visually compelling, even in the depths of winter.

Not all plants, however, are equally suited to providing winter interest. The best choices are those that hold their shape well into December without collapsing. Hydrangeas such as H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ are excellent examples, as their dried flower heads create striking silhouettes against a wintry backdrop. Many ornamental grasses, such as Calamagrostis and Miscanthus, also retain their upright form, offering warm golden-brown tones that contrast beautifully with evergreens. Certain herbaceous perennials, including asters and Hylotelephium (formerly known as sedum), can also stand tall throughout winter, depending on growing conditions.

How Growing Conditions affect Winter Structure

Interestingly, a plant’s ability to hold its shape through winter can vary depending on garden conditions. I recently heard someone praise Hylotelephium for its sturdy winter form, yet in my own garden, these plants tend to break off long before I consider cutting them back. This variation may be due to differences in soil, water availability, and overall plant health.

Many garden designers in the field of naturalistic planting design advocate for “growing plants hard”—that is, creating an environment of moderate stress, such as limiting nutrients or water. This approach encourages stronger, more compact growth, which in turn helps plants maintain their structure longer.

When considering plants for winter interest, it’s worth observing how they perform in your specific conditions rather than assuming they will behave the same way in every garden.

Designing with Winter Interest in Mind

When planning a garden—especially one with a naturalistic planting style—it is important to consider winter interest from the start. Structural plants should be chosen early in the design process to ensure the garden retains form and texture year-round. Some of these will be evergreens, which provide a constant framework, while others will be herbaceous perennials that emerge in spring, bloom in summer, and hold their shape into winter.

Winter Border RHS Wisley

Grasses such as Stipa gigantea are particularly effective, creating a striking presence in both summer and winter. Their airy seedheads catch the light beautifully, adding movement and texture to the garden.

Conclusion

Embracing the beauty of winter structure requires a small shift in perspective, but the rewards are worth it. By carefully selecting plants that remain visually strong through the colder months, we can create a garden that feels alive and dynamic, even when flowers are long gone, and remain a place of beauty and interest for humans and wildlife.