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Happy New Year from all of us at Barton Grange. I hope you enjoyed the Christmas break and that 2008 has begun well for you. January has started dark, wet and cold but we can now look forward to the days lengthening and the garden coming back to life in the spring.
And the first signs are already here ? snowdrops are beginning to push through to brave the cold weather. Hellebores too are beginning to flower. Helleborus niger, or Christmas Rose, is first with its pure white flowers in December. Helleborus orientalis, or Lenten Rose, has many delicate shades of pink and white through to the deepest red, many with intricately speckled petals ? a real gem of a plant that will often start to flower towards the end of January and through into March.
Of the shrubs, Hamamelis or Witch Hazel is one of the most spectacular at the moment - its richly scented flowers of yellow through amber to red are borne on bare stems through January and into February.
There is a lot on offer in the Garden Centres to help make your garden more spring-like. We have lots of pansies, primroses and spring bulbs (including hyacinths, snowdrops and t?te-?-t?tes), to add colour to your beds or borders ? alternatively you could choose one of our ready-planted containers to add instant impact.
Guy Topping
Managing Director
Plant of the Month: Hellebores
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Buy seeds to be sown in January or February
Appraise the garden for form and structure, and plan alterations and additions
Plant window boxes and containers for seasonal colour
Protect vulnerable plants from frost and wind damage
Firm in any autumn-planted shrubs and border plants lifted by frost
Knock snow off branches, especially on conifers and hedges, if they are bending under the weight
Check stakes and ties on newly planted trees
Remember the birds in the garden and put out food for them, especially when it?s frosty
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