It’s a snow go area
In the borders themselves, evergreens are particularly appreciated for their stature and the depth of colour they bring to your garden. Differing weather conditions create different moods in the garden and it is the worst of winter weather that can make your garden a real stage show. A covering of snow picks out the best in conifers as their solidity is transformed into a traditionally wintry scenic landscape. In sheltered corners of the garden it is still perfectly possible to have a medley of colour, especially in patio containers.
Primroses will happily oblige in providing an early taste of spring. Late in the month, the woodland borders throw up the first aconites and in mild weather.
It’s the dogs’s!
Below, Cornus stems look spectacular against a blanket of snow.
New year cuts for old growth
THERE are still some herbaceous plants which are providing decorative seed heads, but many others are looking pretty untidy and these would benefit from being cut back close to ground level.
Additionally, plants such as Hemorcalis (Day lillies) and Iris ‘Sibirica’ could do with the removal of their dead, rather grassy, leaves as these promote shelter for slugs and other pests and these plants are hardy enough to survive without leaving ‘debris protection’. Conversley, the more tender Gunneras and Kniphofias benefit from the old leaves being folded over the crowns.
JANUARY is an ideal month to enjoy colourful and interesting tree bark. The effects of a Silver Birch against a crisp blue sky, for example, can be an awesome sight. The examples listed below are generally large and can be best enjoyed by walking around your local park or better still one of the arboretums scattered around the British Isles, particularly on a frosty or snowy day when the trees will give you a real treat. Here are a few to look out for......
Reaching a height of 60ft, ‘Betula Utilis’ has stunning white bark, a quality shared with the Australian native ‘Eucalyptus brevifolia’ which grows to between 30 and 40ft displaying spectacular thick snow-white bark. The eastern poplar ‘Populus deltoides’ has corrugated grey bark on extremely straight trunks. Silver poplar ‘Pyramidalis’ has brighter grey bark. In the Acer genus, the ‘snakebark Maple’ provides green and white stems while the ‘coral bark Maple’ simply displays spectacular flamingo orange stems and bronzey pink bark. This latter pair, along with dwarfer birches than described above, are well-suited to smaller gardens.
Telling you Witch way to turn
WITCH Hazel lights up the mid-winter garden when virtually nothing else does - its spidery golden fluorescences stand out against the bleak background; gently breathe on them to warm them up and they’ll release their delicious scent. Also this month, look out for exciting tree bark along with noble evergreens, providing dimension and dynamism.
Make your neighbours ever-green with envy
DEEP coloured evergreens provide an invaluable backdrop to brighter leaf colours or the first Snowdrops or Hellebores and add a sense of solidity and structure to the winter garden. And, as a matter of fact at anytime of the year. They look particularly dramatic when dusted with snow whether we are talking about a giant Yew hedge or a small patch of Ajuga. Here are my favourite five varieties:
1. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ - grows to just 30cm in height and spread. It’s deep purple evergreen leaves contrast with sprays of pale pink summer flowers. It likes moist soil and dappled shade.
2. Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ - as the name suggests, this has superb rich foliage which spreads to 60cm or more. It is ideal for large rockeries or the edges of borders and will tolerate shade.
3. Phyllostachys Nigra -This bamboo has young green stems turning to black in their second year and consequently looks very dramatic in their second or third winter. Growing to 20ft in height, it looks very impressive when planted as a screen.
4. Taxus Baccata (Yew) - I’m not at all fond of fully grown Yew trees but on the other hand I am quite partial to neatly trimmed Yew hedges or topiary which looks great in almost any garden, adding a sense of depth behind herbaceous borders and displays of vibrant summer annuals and bulbs.
5. Pinus Nigra - An impressive conifer which can exceed more than 50ft. The coinch needles of this tree, which is only suited to large gardens, are deep in colour and contrast well against the whitish brown bark.
Simply excell-Anth
ANTHURIUM is a very attractive tropical plant belonging to the Arum family. It’s brilliant red flower spathes are held around the white spadix and compliment the deep glossy green leaves very well. Keep the plant in a warm room (above 16 degrees Celsius) and mist the leaves regularly. Keep the compost just moist. They like bright light, but keep them out of direct sunlight.
Tovey’s Tips
1. Sow Delphinium seeds just below the surface of moist compost in sterilized pots. Keep them above 20 degrees Celsius for four days then reduce to 15. The seedlings will soon emerge and can then be potted up individually and grown on a bright windowsill until April.
2. Spread a layer of compost over the soil around perennials, taking care not to cover the rhizomes of bearded Irises and the crowns of Peonies.
3. Prune apple and pear trees to 2-3 new buds and remove dead or diseased wood.
4. Lift and divide Phlox, Acanthus and Physotegia. In the process, it may be perfectly possible to take root cuttings. The three inch pieces can be inserted horizontally (halfway the depth of four inch pots) and fill to the top with compost. Grow on in a sheltered corner until new growth starts. Then plant out.
It’s beyond your mild-est dreams
JANUARY may start rather wintry, but the first three weeks point mainly to mild, rather wet and windy, periods of weather. A brief cold snap around or after the 20th brings brighter sunshine but perhaps a snowfall from the northwest followed by a dry last few days with some frost or fog. Struggling rain bands should keep themselves to the west.
Will February be second best?
NEXT month we discover snowdrop varieties and early flowering Camellias. Find out how to prune Lavenders and how to prepare the ground for the forthcoming runner beans and sweet peas.
See you next month!
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