Mzz B’s January Garden

Winter SweetHelleboreSnow drop Mrs Mcnamara-named after. Dylan Thomas's mother in law!Cyclamen coum

The garden may be covered with snow and frozen at the moment- and look beautiful . If you have left seed heads or grasses this will be the time they can look very beautiful. See teasels photo.

But underneath that blanket there were flowers and flowering shrubs which filled the garden with perfume, and when the snow melts they will still be there. I like to walk around the garden at this time of year year and see how many flowers are out- and it is surprising how many flowering plants and shrubs we have that are winter flowering- see Photos.

So there are plenty of jobs to do in the garden once this cold snap is over- but dont attempt to do anything until the snow and ice have gone

• Prune roses if you haven't already done so.

• Continue to prune fruit trees except plums and damsons.

• Continue pruning shrubs that have outgrown their space.

• Look at the structure or your garden and think about bringing in some winter colour – a flowering or coloured stem shrub, snowdrops, grasses or ferns can add something to the winter garden.

• Plan your seed sowing and your vegetables for this year. Don’t be tempted to sow too early, but here are some that benefit from along growing season like chillies- so if you have a heated propagator sow some seeds, but they will need of light once germinated.

• Remove hellebore leaves to prevent disease spread and bin them, do not compost.

• Enjoy those moments in the garden when the sun has come out, the raindrops are sparkling on the twigs, the birds are singing, reminding you that these dark cold days will come to an end and spring will be upon us .

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