Snowdrops

At this time of the year the humble snowdrop is such a welcome glimpse of spring, we can't help but love them.

Did you know that the scientific name for snowdrops, Galanthus, means milk flower and that soldiers were so enchanted by these little flowers that they brought them back from the battlefields of the Crimean War to plant in their gardens.

Originating from the far east, this particular variety was developed at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

No matter what the weather, the dark glossy green leaves give much needed winter interest with the flower buds just waiting for spring to burst open with a lovely frangrance.

Acer davidii ' Serpentine'

In our opinion this is THE best of the snake bark maples and makes a fantastic addition to the winter garden.

Serpentine has striking purple-red stems with distinct silver marbling that shine out in a frosty winter garden.

Pieris japonica Katsura

In 1986 this stunning Pieris was discovered on a wooded hillside near a Shinto Temple in the area of Kazakai, Hirata, Japan.

The lucky discoverer was Yoshimi Hirose, a renowned plant collector and author of numerous books on variegated plants in his native Japan.

And I for one am grateful for his discovery as this Pieris has the most stunning deep red, glossy shoots I've seen on a Pieris.

Hamamelis 'Orange Beauty'

These amazing shrubs slowly unfurl their startlingly bright 'spider-like' flowers in the depths of winter. With the winter sun behind them they positively glow.

The common name of Witch hazel has nothing to do with flying broomsticks but in fact derives from the Old English word 'Wice' meaning 'pliant' or 'bendable' as the wood was sometimes used in the construction of bows.

Blueberries

Although even the late fruiting blueberries are now coming to the end of their cropping, the blueberry plants on the nursery are all now developing their fiery autumn colours.

Absolutely stunning, especially with the autumn sun behind them!