8 KEY WINTER PLANTS
1 Hamamelis mollis The Chinese witch hazel, is a large, broadly trouble-free shrub bearing fragrant, spidery blooms on its bare branches in late winter. 2.5-4m. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b†. 2 Corylus avellana Our native hazel or cobnut, is covered in catkins from mid-February. It is wind-pollinated and releases clouds of yellow pollen when its branches are shaken. 4-6m. RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b. 3 Araucaria araucana The monkey puzzle tree is a South American native that first appeared in this country in the Victorian era. Makes a fine ornamental specimen, given the space to reach its full height. 15-30m. RHS H7, USDA 7a-10b.
4 Cortaderia selloana The standard pampas grass, is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial grass that needs plenty of space, since it can reach 3m high and 2m across. RHS H6, USDA 8a-10b. 5 Lonicera fragrantissima Winter-flowering honeysuckle, is a fine shrub that bears fragrant flowers on almost leafless branches to the delight of winter-active bumblebees. 2m. RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b. 6 Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ Sometimes known as the Nepalese paper plant, this daphne has leathery, deep-green leaves and from late winter to spring produces masses of deliciously perfumed pink and white flowers. 4m. AGM*. RHS H4. 7 Chimonanthus praecox Wintersweet is a fast-growing shrub with bare branches covered in fragrant yellow flowers throughout winter. 2.5m (4m if trained against a wall). RHS H5, USDA 7a-9b. 8 Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ A medium-sized dogwood that produces a thicket of vivid red winter stems if coppiced to within 5cm of the ground in spring. 2m. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 3a-7b.
The arboretum has been organised into geographic zones and contains many trees of international importance