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In a moody atmosphere, one of our gardens in Surrey awakens at the end of a very cold winter. With Spring only a week away, scented Sarcococca and Daphne infuse the air with their sweet fragrance. A new cycle full of opportunities lies ahead, let’s treasure them. 🥳🌿

📸🌿 @garymorrisroe
👷🏻‍♂️🌿 @shootsandleaveslondon
🌿🌿 @leongardens

#gardens #surrey #gardendesign #plants

The sharp cold of the last few weeks brought truly wintry scenes to Church Barn, Essex (UK). ❄️

Even though less colourful than in other seasons, these images clearly show the three structural layers we always talk about in our garden masterclasses:

1 — The clipped layer 🍃
Clipped Prunus lusitanica runs parallel to the building, echoing the linearity of the black timber cladding. It is strongest closest to the house — the manmade element — then gradually feathers out towards the surrounding landscape.

2 — The ephemeral layer 🌾
Repeated lines of Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ also follow the house. Through winter, stems and seed heads slowly lose density, becoming a lighter veil — yet still standing. Soon it will be cut back and disappear in a blink, only to surge again in early spring. Structure doesn’t need to be static: it can expand and contract with the seasons.

3 — The functional layer 🪵
The log piles. Laid in linear arrangements of varying heights, they play multiple roles: structural, ecological, water retention (especially if partially buried), and practical — a place to rest cut branches and trunks during winter work.

From mid to late February we will cut everything back and spread the material as mulch, keeping that pool of biodiversity protected and active. There are different ways to transition from winter to spring — burning, removing cuttings completely — but in my view a quick cut-back (shears or a strimmer) keeps labour hours low while minimising impact on garden life.

As temperatures rise, I’m planning to sow foxgloves, Lunaria, Tragopogon, Nigella, Californian poppies, and a few others. Cut-back time is also the moment to observe the ground layer and spot opportunities — empty pockets where spring light will reach before new growth wakes up again.

We need structural complexity, and tight planting schemes where competition creates beauty and ecological value. 🐞🐛🕷️🪲🐜

What’s the first task you’ll do as warmer days arrive?

📸 @garymorrisroe
🌿 @leongardens
👷🏻‍♂️ @shootsandleaveslondon

#stefanomarinaz #gardendesign #landscapedesign #wintergarden #naturalisticplanting