As the year draws to a close, the gardens in Cambridge seem to become quite silent. The colour of autumn has passed, the air feels still, and what remains is structure, the bones that hold everything together. Yet this is far from a dead season. There is quiet life and beauty everywhere if you take the time to look.
Winter light changes everything. The low sun catches he seed seed heads of grasses and tree bark, turning the simplest things into moments of drama. Birch trunks glow silver against dark skies, the peeling bark of Prunus serrula shines like polished copper, and dogwoods bring flashes of red and gold to the dullest corners. In the borders, hellebores are starting to push through, along with winter flowering jasmine and viburnum, a reminder that the cycle of growth never truly stops. Even on the coldest days, the garden keeps moving quietly forward.
For wildlife, the garden is still a refuge. Dense evergreen shrubs and hedges give shelter from wind and rain. Seed heads from echinacea, teasel and grasses feed finches and sparrows. If you can, top up feeders and leave shallow water out for birds when frost sets in. A pile of logs or leaves tucked away in a quiet corner makes a warm hiding place for hedgehogs, toads and insects waiting for spring. Even the smallest effort helps keep life ticking over through the coldest weeks.
The garden’s stillness also offers a chance to think. When the leaves have fallen and distractions are gone, you see what is working, the shape of a path, the placement of a tree, the way light moves across the ground. It is the perfect time to plan gentle changes, or simply to pause and appreciate what you already have. A moment taken now will help guide next year’s ideas when energy and growth return.
So this December, let your garden rest a little. Leave a few seed heads standing, pile leaves in a quiet corner for wildlife and enjoy those clear bright mornings when the air feels sharp and new. Your garden is taking a breath before near year arrives, quietly gathering its strength beneath the soil.
And as we all slow down for Christmas, take a moment to step outside, listen to the birds and look at the beauty that remains. From my own garden to yours, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a peaceful start to the year ahead.
December Action List
- Add compost or leaf mould to borders to protect soil and roots.
- Check tree stakes and ties after windy weather.
- Keep bird baths and feeders clean and topped up.
- Create a simple log or leaf pile for hibernating wildlife.
- Leave seed heads and grasses standing for food and shelter.
- Prune apples and pears while they are dormant.
- Take time to walk through your garden and plan quietly for spring.
Working from his studios in the shadow of inspiring Anglesey Abbey, and Ely cathedral, RHS award-winning garden and landscape designer Tim Jennings creates stunning outdoor spaces to suit the smallest courtyard to the grandest country home.
Tim Jennings Design specialises in bespoke garden design across Cambridgeshire, Ely, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Hertfordshire and London.
Known for combining strong architectural structure with naturalistic, wildlife-friendly planting, Tim creates timeless gardens that support biodiversity while offering beauty through every season.
Whether you’re looking to transform a small courtyard or a country estate, Tim Jennings Design brings award-winning expertise to every project.
Visit www.timjenningsdesign.co.uk or email tim@timjenningsdesign.co.uk for a personal consultation.
