Plant a winter wonderland...

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS OF SHORTEST DAYS

- DAVID DOMONEY

AS AUTUMN takes hold and nights draw in, many gardeners assume the show is over until spring bulbs push through in March.

Yet winter has its own stars - plants flowering in the coldest months, offering colour, fragrance and structure when they're most needed. With a little planning now, you can enjoy a garden that lifts spirits throughout winter.

BRIGHT SPLASHES

Helleborus niger (Christmas rose): Pure white flowers often appear from December, even through snow, with other varieties featuring more wonderful colours.

Plant into rich, free-draining soil in partial shade and they'll reward you year after year.

Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite): From late winter, buttercup-yellow cups bring cheer. Tubers planted in autumn establish well in humus-rich soil, spreading into golden carpets beneath deciduous trees.

Iris unguicularis (Algerian iris): Large purple blooms with golden centres appear in midwinter. Plant them near a sunny wall in a patch of well-drained soil. October is a fine time to plant for them to settle.

RELIABLE GROUND COVER