Winter teasels

Winter at Mavisbank

Plants that have strong architectural forms such as Teasel (find out more), are lovely all winter, as well as suppliying much needed food and shelter.

Teasels in the snow

Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum) with frost

Although many plants have died back for the winter, a warm autumn meant that some late flowers including Corn Marigold (left) and Cornflower (below) were beautifully caught by the frost

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) with frost

Meadows are short just now, having had their autumn cut and ready for spring growth. This ensures that the new growth is open and vigorous, and prevents a dense thatch of dead plant material from building up, stopping some plants from growing back and closing up the sward.

All of the cuttings are removed, otherwise they would act as a 'mulch'; blocking out light and, more importantly, they would 'compost' and put unwanted fertility back into the meadow. Find our more about planting and managing meadows by clicking here.

The planting season is in a couple of months so there is time to plan for this years wildflower and meadow planting.