Ross and Helen’s favouRite winteR plants

Iris histrioides – ‘Lady Beatrix Stanley’ has arresting, rich blue flowers, and while it is only 4in (10cm) tall, its clumps can stretch a good 12in (30cm) across. “It’s shorter than most reticulata irises, but its wide falls create bags of colourful impact,” says Helen.

Galanthus ‘Seagull’ – A collector’s snowdrop, which, while not particularly tall at 8-10in (20-25cm), holds itself up well. “The big, bold, stand-out white flowerheads have a strong green marking on the inner petals that ensure they get noticed in the winter garden,” says Ross.

Crocus angustifolius ‘Bronze Beauty’ – This forms attractive, significant clumps, 4in (10cm) tall. It is saturated in rich, golden colour and flowers over a long period.

Helleborus x ericsmithii ‘Winter Moonbeam’ – A short, sturdy hellebore at 8in (20cm), with masses of long-lasting, upward-facing white flowers, which age to a blush pink. The silvery-grey-veined evergreen foliage is invaluable throughout the year.

Prunus mume ‘Beni-chidori’. – “This is an absolute must for colour, fragrance and flowers,” says Ross. “The one we have is top-worked, grafted as a standard, rather than a shrubby tree, which could reach 7-10ft (2-3m) in height and spread. This lift means we can use the underplanting better, create a better shaped head and keep it pruned so it remains compact.”

Betula utilis ‘Dark-ness’ – This brings a different depth of colour to the garden, especially when back-lit. Lustrous ribbons of mahogany hued bark light up and bring aerial interest to a winter garden, which can be dominated by ground colour. It reaches 8-11ft (2.5-3.5m) when mature.