January can
be a bit of a depressing month for many, with the anti-climax after Christmas
and probably the worst weather of the year. The shortest day has been and gone,
though, so the nights are drawing out, albeit slowly. A walk round the garden
should reward you with signs of spring and if you planned ahead and put in
bulbs in the autumn, they will be making strong growth and some of the very
early ones such as winter aconite (eranthis
hyemalis) and some crocuses and snowdrops will be in flower. If you
don’t have any colour in your garden at this time of year, make yourself a note
to make sure to order some early flowering bulbs so that next January will be a
bit more cheerful! Some snowdrops have a subtle but very lovely fragrance – try
‘Magnet’ for large blooms along with its delicious smell.