News

Glimpse of spring

Horticulturist Angela Singleton looks for signs of spring to add colour and lift the spirits . . .

 

Winter flowering shrubs provide a welcome glimpse of spring in the cold months at the beginning of the year; a little splash of colour in an otherwise dull border can lift the spirits.

Many of these winter flowering shrubs are beautifully fragrant. Plants produce a scent in order to attract pollinating insects and, at this time of year, there are fewer insects around so a strong scent is important.

At the moment here at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, we have a surprising number of shrubs in flower.

The flowering quinces (Chaenomeles) are coming into bloom now. Particularly early flowering is Chaenomeles x superb ‘Pink Lady’ and also Chanenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ with lovely pure white flowers. They are suitable for training against a wall and will tolerate shade but flower and fruit best in sun.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ flowers right throughout the winter with clusters of tubular pink flowers that are strongly scented. It is an easily-grown, sturdy, upright shrub that can reach 3m in height.

The Witch hazels are stunning at the moment, providing a splash of bright colour as well as a strong scent. Look out for Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Primavera’ or ‘Sunburst’ with their bright sulphur yellow flowers; we have a whole range of colours along the Broadwalk and by the lakes at the Garden.

The Wintersweet (Chimonathus praecox) has been flowering for some time now with its delicate waxy flowers and strong perfume as has Lonicera fragrantissima, one of the winter flowering Honeysuckles.

There are a number of other scented plants in flower at the moment so when you visit the Garden make sure you take the time to seek them out and enjoy their delightful perfumes.

Angela Singleton