Evergreen

Gemstone Forest is a predominantly green theme but it is about seeing plants and trees in a specific light, the magical and mysterious quality of twilight. With a little shimmer, a few gold splashes and a hint of purple and magenta. The trees can be evergreen, thinking about the dark almost black qualities or the bluish tones they take on at twilight. Anything from the topiary shapes of box (Buxus sempervirens) to the backdrop of a yew (Taxus baccata) hedge or holly (Ilex aquifolium). For smaller less formal shrubs Skimmia x confusa ‘Kew Green’ can be trained into a dome shaped or left to become a taller shrub, with lime green buds that open into creamy white flowers in spring. Christmas box (Sarcococca confusa) with its small mid green leaves and its tiny white scented flowers that fill the air. To add in that splash of purple Christmas box comes in purple stemmed varieties too (Sarcococca hookeriana) included Winter Gem, perfect for squeezing into a small space.

Skimma x confusa ‘Kew Green’

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Capturing the light on bare branches can have that ghostly quality, particularly on birch trees such as the white stemmed Betula utilis or Betula pendula. Prunus serrula has deep red-brown branches that still shine when the splash of a street light hits them. Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ is an in between option, a semi-evergreen shrub with beautiful bare stems and a smattering of leaves and pink scented flowers that fill the air at this time of year. The ultimate winter purple shrub has to be Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’or beauty berry. It has bronze and purple coloured foliage in spring along with tiny pink flowers but it is the shiny purple beadlike berries that appear on the bare branches in winter. The berries glinting in the winter sunlight or highlighted by some outdoor string lights are what make it a standout garden plant and why not pinch a bit for an indoor floral display.

Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’

Perennials

Cyclamen will add that hit of magenta, Cyclamen coum or Cyclamen coum ‘Rubrum’ start flowering in January through until spring, perfect to lift the mood after Christmas and those grey January skies. Or perhaps a few hellebores, the spotty Helleborus x hybridus ‘Harvington Pink Speckled’ or the frothy Harvington Double Red. The translucent Helleborus ‘Ice n Roses Red’ although called red is definitely a pink-magenta colour, perfect around the base of deciduous shrubs or raised up, closer to eye line in some planters.

Hellebores

Hellebores also work perfectly to add a winter and early spring splash of purple, from Helleborus x hybridus ‘Harvington Dusky’ with it’s smudged white edges to the deep purple almost black Harvington Shades of the Night’. Harvington Smokey Blues are another purple flowered variety that with a little sunshine allow the light to filter through the petals. And to add that sparkle a few twinkly outdoor lights work brilliantly, no need to take them down after Christmas!

Dark purple hellebores

About the Author

Camilla Grayley is a garden designer based in York, mainly working in and around Yorkshire but has travelled up and down the UK to design gardens and is always happy to travel to help clients with their gardens. I love creating gardens with strong architectural outlines softened by voluminous planting that draws on year round interest, ensuring there is something to capture the eye whatever the season. Gardens should always evoke all the senses from the colour palette on the eye, to the rustling of plants swaying in the wind to the amazing perfumes that can be inhaled, whether on a summer’s evening or the depth of winter.

Services

If you would like to know more working with me please feel free to have a look at my Garden Design and Garden Consultancy Services  or contact me.