Article: Three Beautiful Moments in the Winter Garden with Colleen Southwell
Three Beautiful Moments in the Winter Garden with Colleen Southwell
Winter in the garden is often thought of as a time when the blooms have softened, the trees have shed, and the garden seems to take a long, deep breath.
But for Colleen Southwell, the artist, garden maker and creative force behind The Garden Curator, winter offers its own kind of beauty.
Colleen is a professional fine artist, country garden maker, garden writer and host of creative garden making workshops. Through her work, she celebrates the gentle connection between soil, studio, landscape and everyday beauty. Her world is one of hands and heart in the garden, growing and making in honour of the little things that bring light and joy.
For this edition of Three Things With, Colleen shares three beautiful details to notice and enjoy in your garden over winter.
1. Sculptural Perennial Seedheads
Winter is the perfect time to appreciate the architecture of the garden.
When the flowers have faded, seedheads begin to take centre stage. Colleen loves the feathery movement of grasses, the threaded baubles of Phlomis, and the thistle-like orbs of cardoons.
These forms bring texture, shape and quiet drama to the winter garden. They remind us that beauty does not always have to be soft or blooming. Sometimes, it is found in structure, silhouette and the gentle wildness left behind.
GARDEN WITH JOY
2. Birds’ Nests Revealed in Bare Trees
As deciduous trees lose their leaves, hidden treasures are often revealed.
One of Colleen’s favourite winter sights is the beautifully engineered birds’ nests tucked into bare branches. With the canopy stripped back, these tiny structures become visible, each one a small work of natural craftsmanship.
Colleen always leaves them in place, knowing that many birds will renovate and re-use their nests. It is a beautiful reminder that even in the stillness of winter, the garden is full of life, memory and future beginnings.
3. Frost and Low Winter Light
There is something magical about the way winter light moves through a garden.
Frost catches on leaves, seedheads and branches, turning the familiar into something delicate and shimmering. The low winter sun casts long shadows and brings a softness that can be easy to overlook.
As Colleen reminds us, light and movement are some of the most magical ingredients in a garden. They change the mood of a space, bringing quiet wonder to even the simplest corner.
GARDEN WITH JOY
The Beauty of Winter
Winter invites us to look more closely.
It asks us to notice the shapes, textures and small details that can be missed in the fullness of spring and summer. A garden does not need to be overflowing with flowers to be beautiful. Sometimes, its most memorable moments are found in the bare branches, silver light, seedheads and signs of life waiting.
To see more of Colleen’s beautiful work, follow @thegardencurator and visit her website here. Discover her world of fine art, country garden making, creative workshops, garden guides and thoughtful garden writing.
There is more coming with Colleen soon. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear what is blooming next.
