Christmas Crackers

- Adrienne Wild

Cold-weather clematis

One of the most reliable winter bloomers is the scented Clematis cirrhosa. The maroon-speckled variety ‘Freckles’ is a popular choice, too, but for Christmas the aptly named ‘Jingle Bells’ is outstanding with creamy white nodding flowers. This clematis is evergreen and suitable to grow in a container or plant in the garden. It’s ideal for training around a doorway in a sunny, sheltered spot, or on an archway, where the scented blooms can be appreciated. With bell-shaped white blooms, which appear from December through to February, and no tricky pruning required, the evergreen, Clematis ‘Winter Beauty’ is another much sought-after plant. Allow it to tumble over a low wall or grow in a pot on the patio.

Christmas rose

Commonly called the Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger blooms during the darkest days of winter through to early spring. It may need a little coaxing to perform on Christmas Day, though, so grow it in a pot of John Innes No. 3 compost, top-dress with coarse grit to improve drainage and place in a cool porch or a sheltered spot against a wall in the garden and within a few weeks the beautiful white, buttercup-like flowers will open.

‘Potter’s Wheel’ is the best-known variety and has exceptionally large flowers, although you may prefer the aptly named ‘White Christmas’