Happy new year! The new year has brought with it some beautiful flowers to brighten up the gloomy days. The following can all be found near the path as you walk through the Shrubbery:
Above: Hamamelis commonly known as witch hazel has these spidery yellow flowers borne on bare stems. The flowers always remind me of curls of lemon rind! They prefer a sunny spot, although this particular Hamamelis is growing in partial shade.
Above: Eranthis hyemalis or winter aconite is a particular favourite of mine because they are one of the first bulbs to flower. When planted in swathes like here in the Shrubbery they add a real burst of colour.
Above: Helleborus x hybridus or lenten rose is always a welcome sight. They can be found growing on the right hand side of the Shrubbery path as you head towards the Octagon Summerhouse, and also in the Great Plat in the Formal Garden. We chop the old leaves down in the autumn so that you can see the flowers as soon as they emerge.
Above: Lonicera fragrantissima is the winter honeysuckle. It is a bushy deciduous shrub that has very sweetly smelling flowers. It can be found on the left of the Shrubbery path just before you reach the Octagon Summerhouse.
Above: Chaenomeles speciosa 'Nivalis' is a white flowering Japanese quince and can be found just opposite the winter honeysuckle.
Above: Jasminum nudiflorum is the winter jasmine. In the Shrubbery it is grown on mass by the zigzag path that goes towards the Mill Pond. It can easily be controlled by pruning it back after it has flowered using secateurs or shears.
