Garden Blog

I have been meaning to re-start my Blog for some time now, particularly as my gardening, over the last couple of years has mainly consisted of potted plants (some rather big ones, I must agree) outside my small, rented cottage in the North West.

I am now in my early (dare I admit it) 60s and was previously blessed with a large garden in Sussex, complete with greenhouse, vegetable plot and pond. Now with a small area outside my home, with a tiny border, I only have space for pots and containers; however, on the upside, this has given me valuable experience in what I call ‘Mini Gardening’. 

My years of experience in gardening, from designing gardens for private clients along to my multi award winning RHS show gardens, each which varied in size and complexity, my monthly blogs will look at what grows best in different environments, season by season, along with providing design advice and answering any questions you may have to help you on your green fingered journey regardless of size & theme.

Being outdoors in nature has been scientifically proven to lift one’s spirit and help with depression or even feeling low. Nature’s therapy is free.

Along with having many allergies that have affected me over the years whilst undertaking my garden work and provided many challenges along the way (I have often been referred to as the ‘Allergic Gardener’), I also suffer with acute anxiety. Being outdoors has proved crucial to my wellbeing, even if only for an hour or two. There really is something about being in touch with the soil and plants that lifts my mood – In fact it has been scientifically proven that being outdoors and in nature can benefit anxiety levels by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) and improving both mental and physical health.

Every month I will give you tips on growing, pruning advice and what’s new in my Little Garden Shop, where I sell a curated selection of artisan, vintage and garden items along with tools and hand-pick home accessories. 

I will introduce you to places I have discovered whilst working in different counties, the best tea shops, pubs, gardens to visit and of course nurseries to buy those coveted green garden jewels. 

So Welcome to my first Blog of 2025 !

You can also follow me on Instagram where I post daily.

The Garden in January- a few ideas of what to do

Now is the perfect time to get into your garden, scan over the borders and beds to see where the gaps are to plan for planting year-round flowering shrubs, which can be enjoyed throughout the depths of winter. Plants such as Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) which comes in an array of colours, makes for a striking shrub with sweetly scented flowers which start at the base and carry through the whole length of the stem right to the tip – My favourite is the deep orange Hamamelis x Intermedia ‘Jelena’

Another gorgeous, scented shrub is the twiggy Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet) which may take a few year to flower but is well worth the wait. Plant near the house so you can enjoy the heavenly perfume.

There are some lovely trees such as Prunus ‘Serrula’, a flowering Cherry with glossy ornamental bark which really looks wonderful in January especially if underplanted with white flowering Helleborus ‘Niger’.

Certain varieties of Dogwood or Cornus really come into their own in the winter with eye catching stems from golden yellows, bright yellows, to greens, various shades of red and even a black. When the low winter sun catches the stems, the colours become even more vibrant.

Don’t despair if snow is forecast, a blanket of snow can be good for the garden, protecting plants from frost and killing off unwanted pests. If heavy snow is forecast, the weight on trees and shrubs such as Conifers and dense evergreen climbers may bring branches down so keep an eye on the weather. Frost is of more concern. 

Advice:

Having learnt more about plants in pots the last few years and how they cope in winter, its important to group them together for mutual protection. Roots of plants in pots are above ground, making them more susceptible to freezing, so provide extra protection by wrapping the pot in wool or hessian and cover the tops of the pots. 

Protect any tender plants especially if planted in lower parts of the garden. As cold air is heavier than warm air, make note when it comes to positioning any fruit trees or tender perennials in lower parts of the garden as these areas are more susceptible to being frost pockets meaning any flowers will be damaged in the Spring. 

If the soil is frozen hard and you can dig into it, it is a good time to barrow and spread some good organic matter onto the areas you will need it and can be used once everything thaws out. If you must go over frozen lawns with a barrow, use planks for protection.

January is a good time to prune plants as you can see their framework which makes life a lot easier! Wisteria is pruned twice a year in January and July. Shoots that were shortened in July need to be shortened further to two to three buds from the main stems which will encourage the flowers to form.

Apple and pear trees (not cherry or plum) can also be pruned now which will help create an open crown with evenly spaced branches. The open crown will prevent overcrowding and good air circulation. Cut back the leading shoots of the main branches by about a third depending on the vigour of the tree.  

If you have hellebores, cut back the old leaves now to help the blooms become visible in the spring. Cutting back at this time of year will aid pollination, as insects will be able to get to the flowers. It’s also a good idea to do this because hellebores often harbour leaf spot fungal disease that can look unsightly. 

Don’t be too heavy-handed, as you may destroy the flowering stem. Gently lift the leaf and follow it down to the base before snipping off the leaf. Buying new varieties of Hellebore while in flower will help with choosing the prettiest blooms and grouping. 

Pruning Shrub roses

It’s time to prepare your roses for the year ahead and give them a prune which is best carried out when the plant is dormant in January/February. Ideally, cut just above a leaf joint with a sloping cut away from the bud. Cut out dead and diseased stems and spindly and crossing stems and aim for well-spaced stems that allow free air flow. Check any loose or rocking roses in the ground due to wind damage and firm then in, cutting back a little more to reduce wind rock.

As the month progresses, and the weather stays inevitably cold, top up bird feeders regularly and break any surface ice on water baths.

You can start sowing some vegetable seeds under cover such as spinach, carrots, leeks, onions and broad beans and winter salads can be started on a windowsill or propagator if you don’t have a greenhouse. 

I trust you enjoyed reading my new blog post & hope my tips and advice help to inspire you on your gardening journey. 

Gardening is all about learning and growing and sharing knowledge and I’m so happy for you to join me!

Next month I will be sharing more tips along with garden visits and highlights from my day on a Snowdrop Painting Course in the Cotswolds.