After those colder weeks and the hustle and bustle of Christmas and the New Year, we spend more time at home and also in our gardens, balconies or terraces. It may not seem so obvious at first, but it is important to understand Winter in your garden and appreciate its beauty.

In January, it seems that everything in the garden is stagnated and the plants hibernated. However, there is a particular beauty to the Winter months … Now, it is possible to appreciate deciduous trees’ bones, whose numerous branches entertain the eye. For some species, this is just a new beginning as the shoots that will bloom in the next season are already visible.

It is in fact a calmer time in the garden, and there are some plants that are a part of the wonders of Winter, whether it is for their fragrant flowers, such as Hamamelis, or for their colourful branches, like the Basket Willow, or even for the dried flowers and ears, which become very beautiful. And have you noticed the tall, slim silhouette of the Poplars? It seems that the abundance of colours from the other seasons distracts us from the elements and shapes that we can now appreciate in full detail.

Winter is also not monochromatic, it is worth noting the different shades of brown, grey, orange and of course the greens that do not lose their tone, as they do not lose their leaf. The Mediterranean landscape keeps its register, where persistent leaf species like the Olive tree or the Cork Oak are dominant.

As for the tasks to be done in your outdoor space, this is a good time to start sowing or planting roots, flowers and shrubs. It is also a good time to do some pruning and branch removal, since Spring is just around the corner and it is already showing some signs.

The days are longer, and we are already beginning to see a change in lighting and vegetation. Even if we have to wear more coats, it is worth being outside and observing the changes.

Winter can be long, but for the good observer, it is a season of high interest.