Nicola Stocken
Gardens photographer and writer specialising in magazine features of images and text
There are few more arresting midwinter sights than a myriad snowdrops carpeting woodland or filling beds and borders
As autumn deepens, ornamental seedheads emerge, as food for birds and structures for frost to dust
Even in February, this modern country garden is filled with scent, colour and interest
It may be deepest winter, but there are a number of fragrant flowers to pick for indoors
As one of winter’s most enduring flowers, snowdrops unfurl as early as January, with later cultivars in February and March
A stunning country garden with a strong framework of hedges and topiary that is brought alive by winter’s frost
This walled garden is magical in snow, its structure highlighted as individual plants cast their spell
By new year, gardens are mostly stripped of flowers, relying on permanent features and evergreens for interest
Come midwinter, and carpets of winter bulbs add drama beside newer contemporary areas
As intriguing as these enchanting flowers, many a snowdrop’s name has much more to it than first appears
During January, February and March, celebrate nature’s blues with baby bulbs, plucky perennials and showy shrubs
Pared down, a winter garden’s interest lies in texture, shape, perfume, structure and flowers of a rare delicacy
A hard January frost is sure to awaken the fragrant, spidery flowers on witch hazels to glow in the brittle winter sunshine
Even the darkest winter day cannot fail to be lightened by the sight of golden flowers on trees or fences, in pots and beds
Bringing welcome colour from winter into early spring, many flowering plants are easy and rewarding to grow in pots
Come winter, and look out for a select group of doughty flowers that, surviving snow and frost, lift the spirits
In a country garden, winter brings hellebores, crocus and snowdrops in light woodland filled with February flowers
There are different bulbs to flower in winter, spring, summer and autumn, naturalised or in borders, beds or pots
Winter in John Massey’s canal side garden sees vibrant flowers such as hellebores, witch hazels and snowdrops
Contemporary garden in winter snow, designed by Andy Sturgeon with a framework of oak cubes leading through borders to a riverside deck
