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January Plant Gallery

© Jane Hollis

The English New Year brought snow and heavy frosts to my normally mild garden. Now, toward the end of January, they have been replaced by heavy rain and gale force winds. However, this inclement weather is not enough to stop the emergence of late winter blooms, stimulated by the slow increase in daylight hours.

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Diane'
Also known as Witch Hazel, this lovely shrub was featured in the October Gallery for its attractive autumn leaf colour. It is back this month due to the spidery red flowers that have just opened.

Witch Hazels prefer well-drained, but moist, acid or neutral soil in full sun or partial shade. It is fully hardy but will appreciate protection from harsh winds. Try to place it in a position where the winter sun will enhance the blooms.

Vinca major 'Variegata'
Also known as Great Periwinkle, this prostrate evergreen shrub needs to be treated with care in the garden as it can be invasive. I avoid planting it in my borders, where it would swap less vigorous neighbours, but use it in difficult situations such as hedge bottoms, under trees and on steep banks.

The foliage itself is attractive, but it also produces these dainty blooms in winter when the weather is mild.

Periwinkle tolerates a range of soils, except the very driest, in either part shade or full sun. It is fully hardy.

Skimmia japonica
Here is another plant that was featured in the October Gallery, when it was sporting bright red berries.

This month, however, it earns its place by way of its red-tinged flower panicles. There are many cultivars of Skimmia japonica, ranging in size from 60cm to 6m! Flowers are either red, white or pink followed by berries which are mainly red, but sometimes white.

These evergreen shrubs are fully hardy and tolerate shade and pollution well, which is probably why they are so common in municipal plantings. They like a moist and humus-rich soil.

Helleborus argutifolius
This evergreen perennial (also known as the Corsican Hellebore) provides attractive toothed foliage throughout the year, but then in late winter produces these unusual pale green flowers. Presumably because of the toothed and leathery nature of the leaves it seems much less susceptible to slugs and snails than Helleborus niger and orientalis (Christmas rose and Lenten rose).

It is fully hardy and likes neutral to alkaline soil in either full sun or dappled shade.

Cyclamen coum
These pretty tuberous perennials are a welcome addition to my rock garden, providing the first splash of colour in the new year. The flowers are tiny, about 1cm long, and come in white and various shades of pink. The foliage is also attractive being rounded with silvery markings.

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