EXTENDING THE WINTER FLOWERING SEASON

The following plants begin to bloom in late winter, from February onwards, to provide colour until spring reawakens the remaining garden from slumber:

Helleborus orientalis varieties

‘Windcliff Double’ – double pink flowers; evergreen. ‘Apricot Blush’ – peachy shades and darker rose-coloured veining, speckles and picotee edges to the petals; evergreen. ‘Cherry Blossom’ – large, semi-double flowers of rich pink with darker cherry-red centres; evergreen. ‘Ivory Prince’ – deep pink buds opening to white, which face more outwards than many of this family; evergreen. ‘Rose Black’ – deep purple, almost black flowers with contrasting white stamens; evergreen.

Shrubs

Sarcococca ruscifolia – pure white petals with a honey-brown eye; scented. Height: 6ft (1.8m). Daphne laureola philippi – small greenish-yellow highly scented flowers; evergreen. Height: 1½ft (0.5m). Daphne mezereum – deciduous shrub with purplish-red, scented flowers that cluster along the stems before new leaves appear. Height: 5ft (1.5m). Daphne odora – highly fragrant, pale pink flowers; evergreen. Height: 5ft (1.5m).