Toggle navigation

Broughton Hall: Six plants I love

David Husker is busy this winter maintaining his stunning garden, Broughton Hall

Here David gives us 6 plants he loves that look their best in winter

 

Melianthus major

Will fill 3 meters by 5 meters with great foliage and striking red flowers in summer. I cut them to the ground every second year, leaving them to shoot again.

 


Californian Tree Poppy, Romneya coulteri

One of my favourite plants for its blue green foliage, poppy buds and the stunning flowers through late spring and summer.

 

Persicaria ‘red dragon’

A great little infill plant to 1m high and wide. The patterned foliage is better coloured in sun than shade, though protection from the hot west is best. Knocked back by frost.

 

Staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina dissecta

Great foliage in summer and amazing autumn tones, this hardy shrub suckers to form a stand of unruly stems, 3m high and 5 wide. I prune to highlight its form in winter when the stems are bare.

 

Winter sweet, Chiminanthus praecox

Grown for its beautiful scent that wafts through the garden in winter, its best in the back of a border. Growing to 1.5 high x 2.5m wide, it’s best tip-pruned in summer to keep it in shape.

 

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’

I leave the dying heads until the autumn-toned leaves have fallen, then prune carefully to maintain its weeping form, which looks great in garden beds or dropping over high containers.

 

See more

Be inspired by Victoria's stunning Broughton Hall in David Husker's blog, Winter in Broughton Hall, Victoria