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Let’s face it January is depressing post Christmas and gloomy weather, but it can also be a most joyful time in the garden says Cathie Welch
Look around at the array of stem colours, berries and scented flowers being visited by bees when the sun does show. It really is magical so let’s focus on the positive!
Colourful stems: Many plants have colourful stems but the most stunning are the dogwoods. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ looks like flames on gloomy days and Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ is bright red. There are many others to grace your gardens in shades of lime green, yellow, orange, red and black. Bamboo can be trimmed to show the beautiful stem colour and the best one for this is Phyllostachys aurea which is pure gold. Many trees come into their own too like Betula jacquemontii and other silver birches, Prunus cerrula has shiny burgundy stems and there are many more.
Evergreens and berries: Trees and shrubs that keep their leaves over winter are the backbone structure to a garden in winter and many carry colourful berries. Two winter classics are holly and ivy but there are also an array of Skimmias with red and green buds and others with bright red berries. Sarcococca has red and black berries following gorgeous scented flowers.
Deciduous winter interest: One of the plants that causes a stir at this time of the year is Callicarpa bodinieri and it’s many cultivars. Bright purple berries (above). My students have to identify it at other times too but winter is when it is at it’s best. Birds are not generally attracted to the berries although I’ve seen one or two blackbirds and thrushes tucking in! There is also Edgeworthia chrysantha which has a gorgeous structure and scented yellow or red flowers.
Scent and perfume: Boxing Day we head up Battleson Hill at RHS garden Wisley to drink in the perfume of Daphne, Edgeworthia, Camellia, Hamamellis, Chimonanthus, Lonicera and Sarcococca. A true delight on a dull winter’s day recommended to all readers.
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