By Hester Forde
It was wonderful to see so many RHSI snowdrop enthusiasts visit Coosheen for a guided tour of the snowdrop collection and the winter garden. The weather was kind, and the morning began with tea, coffee, and scones. Winter is a very special time in the garden and a time to really see the backbone of the garden. Trees reveal a fine tracery of branches and provide amazing shapes, sculptural when backlit by low sunshine. Lifting the “skirt” and limbing up were discussed in detail. Several Japanese maples have beautiful and elaborate, intricate shapes. Cultivars such as Acer palmatum, including “Inba Shidare,” “Shaina,” “Beni-Makio,” and “Villa Taranto.”
Scent is especially important in winter and early spring. Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) is one of the best for scent, and the wonderful spidery flowers of H. Aphrodite and H. Wisley Supreme were in abundance. Perhaps one of my favorites is Daphne, known as the Goddess of the wood. Two new additions to the garden were greatly admired: Daphne bholua “Mary Rose” and Daphne bholua “Cobahy Purple Clouds.” Cultivars and hybrids of Daphne bholua are the most dramatic of the genus. Their scent is utterly intoxicating.
Snowdrops, of course, stole the show, and drifts of Galanthus Atkinsii and Elwesii were at their best. Discussions on how to grow, feed, and divide were among the topics discussed. Hellebores had already begun to flower and make an impact, and their great variation in color and form were giving their best.
A winter garden is special; it enables us to go outdoors and embrace nature in that nice weather and also see that spring is well and truly on the way.
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