Mahonia, named after the American horticulturist Bernard McMahon, is a popular evergreen winter flowering shrub. The Asiatic group, notably Mahonia japonica (see photo), Bealei, Lomariifolia, Charity and Media varieties are valued for their glossy foliage and heavenly scented yellow flowers. Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) is sparsely branched with neat clusters of yellow flowers and has green/bronze foliage. Mahonia Soft Caress, plant of the year at Chelsea in 2013, has yellow flowers and elongated smooth leaves, as opposed to its prickly leafed relatives. Mahonias do well in semi-shade in a mixed border or in a shrubbery. Prune after flowering and reduce the height in order to enjoy the lily of the valley scented flowers next year and remove any lifeless branches.
Other winter favourites Sarcococca (winter box) has highly scented creamy/white flowers with shiny dark green foliage and Viburnham bodnantense Dawn has rosy pale pink/white flowers and is most fragrant. Two late winter flowering scented shrubs are Daphne Mezereum with rose/deep pink flowers and Hamamelis (witch hazel) with its distinct yellow/orange/copper, both on bare stems.
Lonicera fragrantissima, the winter flowering honeysuckle, is a worthy addition to the garden as is Lonicera purpusii, another excellent variety being a cross between fragrantissima and standishii. The yellow flowering winter jasmine and the evergreen Clematis cirrhosa Freckles with its creamy white flowers speckled with maroon red spots brighten up any dull day. All these scented plants give bees a feast of nectar during the winter.
Osmunda Goshiki, an alternative to holly, is seen to good effect with salmon coloured flowers of the Azaleas in the photograph. Pittosporums come in a wide range of leaf colours and these evergreen shrubs along with box and yew give structure to the garden. All three can be topiarised or annually trimmed to keep them neat and tidy.
Conifers are particularly prone to branch distortion after heavy snowfall so take a broom or long handled item to shake the snow from affected shrubs and small trees. Make sure tender plants are protected from cold weather and ensure containers are not waterlogged as plant roots will rot.
Hellebores (Christmas roses) with their pretty bowed flowerheads of creamy white to pink/purple, contrast well with snowdrops and alpine cyclamen with their attractive flowers and foliage. As the days lengthen daffodils, crocus and scilla appear, soon followed by tulips. Perennials will emerge from dormancy and Cornus stems should be cut right back so new bright shoots can grow.
The flowers of Camellias, Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree), Forsythia, Lilac and Magnolia herald spring along with catkins, pussy willow and fruit blossom. Herbacious plants peeping through the soil can be divided and containers can be prepared for this season’s summer annuals. Lawns are mown and weeds are kept under control. Vegetables are sown in anticipation of a bumper crop. Clematis, irises, lilies and perennials, like Achillea, Lupin and Paeony are in flower. Centre stage in summer are the blue or white flowers of the Agapanthus. Herbs are plentiful, bees on the lavender, bumble bees seeking foxgloves, ladybirds on the fennel and butterflies enjoying the buddleia. Sweet peas are picked to encourage more blooms and hollyhocks reach for the skies. Rhubarb has been harvested. Cherry tomatoes are eaten. Hedges are cut and shrubs that have flowered have been pruned.
Crocosmia, Rudbeckia, Roses and Dahlias are in full swing until the first frosts. Apples, pears and plums are picked. Autumn is about foliage and berries. The exuberant colours of acer palmatum and callicarpa with its purple berries are a spectacle. Laden branches of cotoneaster, holly and pyracantha give birds a great choice. Hydrangea flower heads will protect the stems from frost. Bulbs planted, leaves raked for compost and water butts are full.
Written by Heather Pratt
