Chinese witch hazel

Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’, planted near the front door, is brilliant and wonderfully fragrant on dreary winter days.

crocus

Crocus sieberi ‘Spring Beauty’ glows on sunny days in front of the house.

evergreen clematis

Clematis aff. urophylla is an as-yet unidentified species planted to climb over the arch of the entry gate as a less vigorous alternative to Elizabeth Lawrence’s original Clematis armandii.

winter heather

Elizabeth Lawrence’s original Erica carnea starts blooming this month, although its buds have been coloring for a month or more.

horse tongue lily

Ruscus hypoglossum flowers are minute—barely a half centimeter across—and beautiful.

winter crocus

Crocus laevigatus ‘Fontenayi’ started blooming in December, and keeps on flowering through this month as well.

tommies

Speaking of crocus, this is the month when Crocus tommasinianus begins to bloom throughout the back garden.

Elwes's snowdrop

Most Galanthus elwesii in the garden begin in December, but this original group planted above the pool starts in January. It is a favorite of honeybees.

camellia

Elizabeth’s original Camellia japonica ‘Magnoliaeflora’ delights with its pale pink blooms.

Handel's camellia

Speaking of camellias, Camellia handelii ‘Snow Bells’—a newer addition to the garden—becomes a demure showstopper with its branches heavily laden with delicately fragrant blooms.

mouse tail plant

Don’t forget to look down! I always like to point out Arisarum proboscideum to younger visitors.

meadow saffron

Colchicum hungaricum ‘Valentine’s Day’ may surprise us again this year by blooming a few weeks earlier than its name suggests.

Christmas rose

While Helleborus niger ‘HGC’ began blooming at Christmas, it continues into January, provided the weather isn’t too warm.

paper whites

There are two patches of Narcissus papyraceus in the garden, both original to Elizabeth. They begin in late December and keep on into the new year.

Lenten rose

This gorgeous Helleborus ‘Peppermint Ice’ is a fancy stunner.

Lenten rose

Planted in front of ‘Peppermint Ice’ is this beauty, Helleborus ‘Our Best Picotee’ from Pine Knot Farms.

camellia

Camellia x ‘Lindie Wilson’ started blooming weeks ago, and will continue to bloom through January and into February, too!

winter aconite

I always look for this too early… usually by mid-December, I’m on the hunt. I must remember that Eranthis hyemalis begins to bloom in mid-late January.