Garden Notes
Plants for Seasonal Interest
Winter
Siberian Dogwood Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’
For much of the year this deciduous shrub is an unassuming plant with ovate green leaves in spring and summer but after losing its leaves in autumn it displays brightly coloured stems. If you have a large space to fill they look spectacular planted in a large group. Another variety worth planting is Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’, it has orange/red and yellow stems.
Farrer viburnum Viburnum farreri
A deciduous shrub with pink buds which open to form white flowers producing a strong sweet scent in winter. Coppery coloured leaves appear initially and turn green in spring. Ideal for placing where the blossom can be seen from indoors or next to paths where the scent can be enjoyed when walking by. They will grow in sun or shade. Alternatives would include Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ or ‘Charles Lamont’ which are usually readily available to purchase from garden centres or online.
Common Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis
A very welcome sight in the garden with the first flowers appearing as early as January especially in areas of woodland and gardens where the winter sun reaches the ground. They have a reputation for being difficult to establish in a garden and I have certainly found it difficult to grown them from dry bulbs planted in the Autumn in my own garden. I have had success from planting them “in the green”, this is when they have finished flowering but still have green leaves. These can be purchased online by ordering in January for delivery in February or March and should be planted as soon as possible after delivery in moisture retentive soil in semi shade. When large clumps have formed after a few years these can be lifted and divided after flowering and planted in new locations in the garden.