January Garden Highlights:
The winter solstice has passed, so the days will gradually lengthen as winter leads inexorably into Spring. Despite the short days and cold weather, there’s lots to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. Snowdrops are emerging from the soil, many already in full flower. There are large drifts of snowdrops and aconites at the far end of the Garden to enjoy, to be followed by crocuses, daffodils and bluebells.
These spring bulbs stand out in the Winter/Spring border against a dark layer of garden compost and leaf mould, along with hellebores and early-flowering groundcover plants. Many of the fragrant spring-flowering shrubs – mahonia, Christmas box (Sarcococca), shrub honeysuckles and Viburnum fragrans – are in peak flower in January. Enjoy wafts of perfume emanating from the borders!
We are replanting the bee border this season as it has become rather overgrown with marjoram. We will remove unwanted plants, thin out the marjoram, then put in a mixture of bee-friendly plants to provide food for a wide range of pollinating insects throughout the year. Follow the development and look for pollinators through the seasons. Let us know if you spot anything unusual.
With best wishes for 2026 from the Garden Team.
Mike Redshaw