Enchanted splendor of a wintery garden in freeze
As the sun rises, the tall stems glitter in the pale winter sun, and wind-blown piles of leaves are rimed with white. The frost in the morning heightens all senses, bringing a crisp, invigorating chill to the air. This season, gardeners across the nation are bracing themselves for the potential damage hard frost can cause to their gardens, particularly to tender or semi-hardy plants like Daphnes and Ceanothus.
Tiffany Daneff, a seasoned gardening expert with a wealth of experience, is no stranger to these challenges. Previously the Editor of GardenLife, she has written and ghostwritten several books, launched The Telegraph gardening section, and edited IntoGardens magazine. She gardens in a wind-swept frost pocket in Northamptonshire and is learning not to mind about sharing her plot with resident rabbits and moles.
Hard frost can cause significant damage to gardens, and for plants like Daphnes and Ceanothus, the effects can include leaf scorch, dieback of new growth, and damage to flowers or buds. The extent of the damage depends on both the temperature and duration of the frost. A light freeze (29–32°F / -2 to 0°C) can kill tender plants but usually doesn't affect hardier ones severely. A moderate freeze (25–28°F / -4 to -2°C) causes wide damage, particularly to fruit blossoms and semi-hardy plants. A severe freeze (24°F / -4°C and below) leads to heavy damage on most plants, potentially including daphnes and ceanothus if exposed[1].
Tender parts of shrubs like Daphnes and Ceanothus are particularly vulnerable. Their blooms and young shoots can be killed by frost even when the woody structure survives. Damage to blooms means reduced flowering the following season[4][5]. To minimize frost damage, gardeners can cover plants with breathable fabrics (frost cloths or sheets), mulch around the base to insulate roots, water plants before frost to retain soil heat, or move sensitive potted plants indoors[2][3][4].
Despite the potential damage, winter offers a chance to appreciate the beauty of gardens in a different light. Brodsworth Hall Gardens, located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, features an extensive collection of historic topiary and an impressive rock garden. It is open at weekends and selected weekdays in winter. The sculptural skeletons of still standing seedheads come into their own in winter, adding a unique charm to the landscape.
Westcroft, located in Wiltshire, is the first garden in the year to open for the National Garden Scheme, with a collection of over 400 snowdrops displayed in a much-loved garden spread over two-thirds of an acre. Thenford Arboretum, found in Northamptonshire, opens early in the year for its famous snowdrop collection and boasts important collections of over 3,000 trees and shrubs. Booking is essential.
Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, situated in Fakenham, Norfolk, includes a Millennium Garden by Piet Oudolf, wetlands, a sculpture garden, bird hides, and 700 acres of land. As the days grow shorter and the nights colder, dogs and children trail the frosted lawn, while dark shapes of corvids and pigeons are seen crossing the window. Seeing an iced spider's web or brittle stems covered with spines of frost can bring back childhood wonder.
As gardeners wipe away condensation and check if the ground is frozen, they prepare for the short, sharp hoar frost that usually appears overnight and disappears by midday. Two winters ago, a hard frost persisted for many nights, causing losses in many gardens. But with protective measures in place and a renewed appreciation for the beauty winter brings, gardeners are ready to face the challenges ahead.
Tiffany Daneff, with her extensive knowledge in gardening and lifestyle, often shares insights about garden design and home-and-garden care in her writing, having previously edited various gardening publications. To protect tender plants like Daphnes and Ceanothus from frost damage, gardeners can adopt strategies such as covering them with breathable fabrics, mulching around the base, watering the plants before frost, or moving sensitive potted plants indoors.
