Winter

8 The range of winter plants may be small, but the ones that do perform at this time of year always catch the eye. There are some very good bedding plants, such as winter pansies, but best of all are the bulbs. Crocus tommasinianus opens at the first hint of warmth, offering purple with “Barr’s Purple”, and white with C. albus. A container is a good place to grow them, as in the garden they are ferocious spreaders. Also try Cyclamen coum which is available in white, pinks and red, the yellow winter aconite, snowdrops, especially the sturdy, white Galanthus “S. Arnott”, and the blue winter iris, Iris histriodes. All can be planted alone, or around the stems of standard shrubs such as holly, or the corkscrew hazel, Corylus avellana “Contorta”.

CROCUSES

LEFT: This trio of pots shows what a good display early crocuses offer. Two particularly good performers are the lilac Crocus laevigatus “Fontenayi” and the lilac C.tommasinianus.

HOLLY AND IVY

RIGHT: A neatly styled standard holly towers over white cyclamen and variegated ivy by a doorway. The cyclamen can be replaced by spring and, later, summer bedding.

SEASONAL CONTAINERS

BELOW: A hollowed-out log filled with shallow-rooting Cyclamen coum, planted with a small-leaved ivy.

8a Winter pansies (Viola x wittrockiana)

8b An elegant show of snowdrops

8c Cyclamen (Cyclamen oersicum)

8d Skimmia japonica “Tansley Gem”

8e Dutch yellow crocus (Crocus x luteus)


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