Tree-mendous: Victoria Truman discusses why trees are such a great gardening design detail

BRANCH OUT BY PLANTING SOME TREMENDOUS TREES

Although it might be cold and damp out there right now, January is the perfect month to start your grand designs. Start your plans by planting some interesting tree species says Victoria Truman

As January approaches this is the time many gardeners and garden designers will be planting out trees whilst in their dormant state. If you’re looking to do the same then consider those trees with the added bonus of beautiful bark. Of course they can add another dimension to your planting schemes at any time of year, but really come into their own during the winter months.

The paperbark maple,

Acer Griseum, is one of the most desirable. A beautiful small tree, a perfect choice for small gardens and restricted spaces, the bark is the colour of cinnamon, and peels away naturally in thin layers, hence this tree’s common name, paper bark. It looks absolutely lovely when underplanted with hellebores.

Cherries are a cheaper alternative and Prunus serrula has the most striking bark of all. Its polished mahogany coloured bark, which peels away in bands with age, is especially valuable in winter, when it will add a splash of much-needed colour to the garden. I have used five of these as a multi stem tree planted in a long border among Pennisetum alopecuroides ’Hameln’. A very simple, hugely effective long border with interest all year round.

Silver birches still hold their appeal, especially the white barked Betula utillis var. jacquemontii. In smaller spaces a real multi-stem is a better choice than a standard or a group of standards. However, where space allows, groups of individual specimens create a dramatic effect, especially underplanted with low, evergreen planting. Ferns also look fabulous. If you plant Acer palmatum’ Atropurpureum’ near these birches, the leaf that turns brilliant red in autumn makes for a striking contrast against the white of the birch. Garden tips for

January

1. Curl up indoors, make the most of this quiet time in the gardening season to read inspiring books on gardens

2. Browse summer bulb catalogues. Now is a perfect time to start selecting new varieties – and a few old favourites – for spring

3. Walk around your garden as now you can see the bare bones of its layout and this helps formulate ideas

4. Don’t be afraid to change your garden: You can mark out where potential new borders might work. It’s much easier to visualise when the garden is dormant

5. Plan which gardens to visit in 2022, chose those that relate to you and you can bring some of that inspiration into yours

6. Remember good design always starts with one idea: that may be a single flower or a beautiful landscape which resonates inside you

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

THANK YOU VICTORIA:

This is Victoria’s last monthly column for SO magazine. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all her hard work over the years. She has been a great and much valued contributor and we wish her all the very best with her burgeoning design business. See more at www.victoriatruman.com

Victoria Truman