Plant an evergreen

Evergreens can bring a welcome dose of colour and structure into your winter garden. And there are lots of options, says Camilla Phelps, as she lists some of the best

- Camilla Phelps

AS colour fades, evergreen plants take centre stage in our gardens. Most of us don’t have the luxury of planting acres of stunning yew hedges like those in celebrated historic gardens – such as the 46ft (14m)-high spectacle at Powis Castle that needs a cherry picker for pruning. However, we can learn a lot from these landmarks about how to use the textures, shapes, and features of evergreens in smaller spaces.

Strong planting

We need strong planting in winter to give us our daily dose of green to calm our minds and to give our gardens a good structure that will contrast with the pared-back stems of deciduous shrubs and trees. Evergreen planting can help punctuate our borders and patios, and lead our eyes away from bare winter soil and spent flowerbeds. Hedges can work as a backdrop to winter-flowering shrubs and early bulbs, and winter foliage can come in many shades from darkest black through green to bronze.

Topiary can be used to witty or formal effect and larger specimens add strong architectural geometry. Use cubes, pillars, or spheres to frame paths, doorways and gates or as focal points within the garden, in pots or in borders.

Don’t forget herbs