Be Inspired This Winter

These magical gardens show winter planting at its best.

- Karen Murphy

Although we have less to do at this time of year, gardens can still be gorgeous, showing off coloured stems, bark, berries and foliage as well as some beautiful blooms and delicious scent. Add to the mix those frosty mornings and they really do sparkle. Here at GN we know from the Best 100 Gardens poll we ran this summer to find your favourite visitor garden that you love getting out and about and being inspired by these professional plantings. So why not wrap up and visit one of these winter wonderlands?

Cambridge Botanic Garden, Cambridge

Cohesion is key at this renowned university garden, with planting partners perfectly chosen for colour and interest, showing what can be done in the ‘off season’. The design takes into account the light that falls into the garden in winter, which admirably shows off beautiful bark patterns and stem colour. It gets flooded with su g day. Scent dotted about entices you further into the garden. You can even pick up a winter planting list at the kiosks. Admission is £6 or £5.50 for over 65s.

VISIT FOR Excellent planting combination ideas to steal, such as cornus and underplanted bulbs and grasses woven with snowdrops.

Barnsdale Gardens, Rutland

Visit the home of Geoff Hamilton’s famous gardens in Rutland, now run by his son Nick. Overall winner of GN’s Best 100 Gardens competition this year, it’s a beautiful collection of gardens all year round. The Geoff Hamilton Winter Border is a particular highlight, planted up with a wonderful range of donations from Geoff’s friends, family and former colleagues. Adults £7.50, concessions £6.50.