Expert plant specialist Mark Wheeler shares winter tips for a healthy garden

Plant expert Mark Wheeler, who is the new owner of a Wiltshire walled garden and a Grade II* listed Bothy, has shared his winter tips for keen gardeners to enjoy the current season and prepare their outside space for 2025.

Mark, who is also known as the Plant Hunter, is respected in the world of gardens and designs for his knowledge of rare plants and works with companies and landscape gardeners across the UK.

With his partner Jules Gilleland, they are renovating Bothy Gardens located on the edge of the Burderop estate outside Chiseldon, near Swindon. In 2025, the site will be launched as a rare plants emporium for those working in the gardening sector and a nature ‘classroom’ for Jules to share her knowledge and experience in immersive education.

Bothy Gardens, will include greenhouses, flood plant beds, nurseries for rare plants, including orchids, a garden library, and an atelier/classroom. Mark is sharing some of the actions he’s now taking ready for winter which can be applied to any garden.

“I felt it might be of value to share some of the tasks a professional horticulturist undertakes in their own gardens as winter approaches. These tips can be of value to anyone who loves their garden,” Mark said.

Evergreens – if you are want more evergreens or want to include these in your garden, the time to plant them is now. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for planting evergreens. If you plant them during the winter there’s a risk that they could dehydrate because it’s too cold.
Fruit trees – if you have fruit trees in your garden as we have, especially if they are mature trees (ours are at least 60 years old) it’s best to prune them back now. Keeping their branches in a horizontal pattern is preferable and makes them easier to maintain.
Potting plants – this is a great time of year for potting certain plants such as Portugese Laurel into big planters. They make beautiful additions to a garden space and within a planter they can be very architectural in a garden.
Beech hedges – if you have a beech hedge it will currently be displaying those rich autumn colours of orange and gold. However in a few weeks, probably before the end of November I’d be giving that hedge a hard cut. This means really working on its shape and preparing it for the turn of the seasons.
Wildflowers – if you have wildflowers or a wildflower area in your garden then make the most of any which are still flowering at the moment such as Californian poppy. Once the flowering is over, don’t forget to clear the area, collect the seeds and store them ready for planting next year. It’s so worth it to do this.
Fine mulch – using fine mulch at this time of the year is a great idea for newly planted perennials. This helps suppress weeds and protects them from frost. Choose fine chip for this which also looks good!

Mark and Jules are currently also renovating a Victorian greenhouse at Bothy Gardens which was on the brink of collapse, tangled in vines and brambles, with a pair of unruly fig trees bursting through the shattered glass. It will soon have a new lease of life as Jules's creative studio and a sanctuary for propagating rare orchids.

Mark already has an established plant nursery in North London and is well known in the ‘gardening’ world for his encyclopaedic knowledge and love of plants, particularly rare breeds/species, such as Schefflera Rhododendrifolia (Umbrella tree), Ruscus Hypoglossum (spineless butcher's broom), and Salvia Oxyphora (Fuzzy Bolivian Sage). He has made contributions to 19 winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibits.

Jules is an accomplished designer who has been running her company, Turtlewings, from Brussels, Belgium, for many years. With a background in design she has a passion for creating spaces that inspire wonder and well-being. In 2014, she founded Think with Things after winning the Open Education Challenge, earning a spot as one of the top seven EdTech companies in Europe.

The couple are offering some open days during the winter where volunteers can book and explore and learn at Bothy Gardens before it opens officially next year. To find out more about the volunteering opportunities and to register an interest in upcoming classes, visit their website.