Brian Minter: Garden colour in January is a West Coast treat

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If ever there was a time after we may use just a little color help from our gardens, it’s now. Backyard color in January is a West Coast deal with. Sadly, of us dwelling within the north and jap components of the province should be affected person a bit longer.

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Within the southwestern areas of B.C. the chilly spell we had from mid-December till mid-January has barely delayed the standard sequence of winter blooming color. Within the jap Valley, we skilled -20 C temperatures with chilly outflow winds, and we nonetheless have some ice and snow. Nonetheless, I used to be delighted to see our earliest daffodil, Rijnveld’s Early Sensation, colouring up properly. We gained’t see any snowdrops till the snow melts, however they’re able to bloom, and my winter favourites, yellow Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite), will likely be proper behind them.

We frequently take winter-flowering heathers (ericas) as a right, however a few of the earlier flowering varieties have been in bloom since late October. Planted in groupings of three or extra, they ship actual influence. Brilliant pink or purple heathers poking via the snow is a visible delight. Heather groupings are additionally an ideal place to interplant early crocuses, daffodils and exquisite blue grape hyacinths.

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Should you’re fortunate sufficient to have the winter flowering cherry, Prunus Autumnalis, it has been exhibiting off its pink, semi-double flowers since November. Due to its sequential blooming behavior, it’s really a resilient winter plant. The chilly climate froze its early blooms, however now, new buds are opening. Truly, I’m one as I write this text, and I’ve to say, seeing a flowering cherry in bloom now could be an uplifting expertise.

I do know salix (the willow household) will be invasive in the event that they’re not root-pruned to maintain them in examine, however the recognition of pussy willows continues to develop. There are miniature weeping varieties being offered now that develop solely about two ft tall and large however nonetheless have these charming silver catkins. Very early blooming varieties begin exhibiting their silver catkins as early as November. Utilized in minimize bouquets, together with daffodils and tulips, they appear particularly pleasant. The black selection, Salix leucopithecia Lubber’s Zwart, actually doesn’t have a lot of an influence outdoor, but it surely’s a showstopper in minimize bouquets. I noticed a shocking sizzling pink selection at a present in Germany, however it should take time for this distinctive selection to reach over right here — I hold waiting for it.

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On the entrance to VanDusen Gardens on Oak Road in Vancouver is a shocking Chinese language plum referred to as Prunus mume. It’s an absolute jewel, particularly in late January and early February when it blooms in a blaze of sizzling pink. It additionally is available in comfortable pink and white. Whereas these beauties might not be available in most backyard centres, it’s definitely worth the effort to go looking them out.

When exiting VanDusen’s car parking zone, there’s one other gem referred to as Garrya elliptica James Grief. This broadleaf evergreen has exceedingly lengthy catkins, very like a hazelnut. This plant is each intriguing and a lovely winter specimen.

Lonicera fragrantissima is a tremendous shrub honeysuckle that truly does effectively in moist, coastal climate. It’s simply coming into bloom now and has a fragrance that can knock your socks off. Winter perfume is a rarity and is, maybe, extra appreciated now than at some other time of the 12 months. It has a protracted blooming interval, which is extra widespread throughout instances of cooler temperatures.

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In early February, once I see of us immediately stopped of their tracks, trying considerably bewildered and never realizing the place that burst of lovely perfume is coming from, I’ve to chuckle. It’s in all probability coming from Sarcococca humilis (Himalayan candy field), an unassuming, low-growing, inexperienced floor cowl that thrives within the shade and flowers presently of the 12 months with probably the most fantastic fragrance. There are additionally taller sizes, like S. ruscifolia. It’s an ideal basis plant and works effectively in a shade container. All varieties flower in winter with tiny, inconspicuous, starlike, white blooms.

Hamamelis (Chinese language witch-hazel), with its distinctive, spider-like blossoms, are actually placing on fairly a show. Yellow varieties, like H. mollis, H. Arnold Promise and H. pallida, are those with a lovely fragrance, and their colouring reveals off properly in darker winterscapes. The deep, wealthy pink of H. Diane has develop into fairly fashionable, and the coppery orange blooms of H. Jelena make fairly a vibrant show towards a snowy background.

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The earliest flowering dogwood is a winter magnificence with drooping clusters of primrose-like yellow flowers. Cornus mascula, typically referred to as the Cornelian cherry, is simply now starting to bloom. It’s a curious dogwood that produces scrumptious, edible, pink cherry-like fruit in late summer season and has beautiful reddish-purple leaves in autumn.

Though it may be arduous to seek out, Chimonanthus praecox (wintersweet) is a shrub that’s proper at dwelling in a woodland setting. It grows about 10 to 12 ft tall and has gentle yellow, extremely aromatic flowers that open in mid- to late February.

Jasmine nudiflorum (winter jasmine) has already been in bloom for fairly a while with large numbers of tiny yellow flowers. It appears to be like particularly beautiful rising on a country fence, arbour or trellis. For probably the most spectacular show all winter, prepare this semi-vine right into a properly espaliered kind.

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Each Viburnum Pink Daybreak and V. tinus Spring Bouquet have been in flower for a while, and relying on the placement and winter climate, they’ll proceed to bloom for a protracted interval.

Corylopsis pauciflora (buttercup winter hazel) is one other yellow, winter magnificence. Rising 5 to 6 ft, it’s a tremendous late February/March flowering Japanese native. Bees are notably keen on this plant.

Throughout winter, after we get a sequence of hotter days with temperatures reaching upwards of 10 C, many bees will emerge in search of each pollen and nectar. Having winter flowering vegetation in your backyard will assist them, in addition to Anna’s hummingbirds. All these vegetation share their magnificence with us at a time after we may use a raise, they usually provide a significant meals supply for a few of our native wildlife.

It’s essential to do not forget that, for an earlier present, the winter-flowering beauties I’ve talked about have to be planted in additional sheltered, western- or southern-facing areas the place they’ll have higher safety from the chilly.