Little Gems in January

On the surface, January is a pretty colourless month, and there isn't an awful lot going on in the garden. But if you look closely, you will see that 'God is in the details' of the plant world. Two subtle favourites, both in bloom in our shop at the moment, are Sarcococca confusa (Sweet box / Christmas box) and Hamamelis x intermedia (Witch hazel). They both have a delicious scent and both flower at a time when, delicate as they are, they can make themselves noticed. The glossy, evergreen leaves of Sarcococca, along with the sweetly-scented small white flowers, make it a most useful plant. It's excellent in shade and is a slow-growing plant that should be somewhere its fragrance will be appreciated. Hamamelis likes a sheltered spot in sun or light shade, and requires neutral to acidic soil. It also has excellent autumn colour and is considered one of the 'essential' plants for the winter garden.