ADRIAN BLOOM’S FAVOURITE WINTER PLANTS
Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’
“I have split and divided this snowdrop many times over some 40 years, and now it grows all over the gardens,” says Adrian. This variety has a larger than usual flower and a delicately sweet, honeyed scent. Large clumps can be lifted ‘in the green’ when they have finished flowering and replanted from March to May.
Pinus contorta ‘Chief Joseph’
From his vast collection of conifers, Adrian names this as one of his top choices during winter, when its 1½-2in (4-5cm) long needles turn from green to a brilliant zingy yellow, which lifts the garden. It is a dwarf, slow-growing tree, with an ultimate height of 8-13ft (2.5-4m) and a spread of 5-6½ft (1.5-2m). It has a pleasing conical shape and is best planted in full sun.
Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’
“A grass which grows to approximately 5ft tall and stands up well to winter snow,” explains Adrian of this elegant perennial grass, with slender, arching leaves. Although it is deciduous, the grass retains its shape and form through the colder months, and it can be cut back in late February or mid-March for new season’s growth. It looks particularly pretty when stippled with a sparkling white frost. “Some grasses don’t winter well, but this one definitely does,” says Adrian.
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
The star of the Bressingham Winter Garden, Adrian recommends this shrub for its long period of autumn colour, followed by a lattice of dramatic flaming red twiggy stems after the leaves drop. For the most intense stem colour, he recommends leaving the plant unpruned for a year after planting, then to cut it back to within 2-2¾in (5-7cm) before the first buds come through in March. A mulch of compost or manure should be added. “Allowing plenty of light to the plant will help to create the extremes of colour,” recommends Adrian.
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
An almost-black, low-growing ornamental grass, which looks stunning with a white, snowy topping. It is evergreen, so retains its dramatic colour all year round. This is a low-maintenance, easy plant to grow, which does not need cutting back. It does best in full sun or part shade in any soil. It can be container grown, but needs regular watering.