Five Favourites, January 2026

A frozen and somewhat snowy garden does not have to be lacking in winter interest, no matter how cold it is. Even so, it is hard for me to choose ‘favourites’ when there is actually little choice at all! However, these five plants I have chosen are indeed plants that catch my eye when there is very little else happening, and I do love all of my plants anyway!

1. So the most eye-catching in winter is probably the Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’. The red stems stand out especially against a frosty or snowy background and draw my attention to them all the time.

I have several planted in the long ‘Edge border.

2. On the edges of the garden and in the meadow we planted many trees when we came here, including some silver birch. Watching them grow has been such a pleasure. I love the bark in particular in winter…

…or the silhouette of the tree against a blue sky…

3. Naturally I have to include a grass in my favourites and this time it is Miscanthus ‘Red Chief’, looking not so red these days. On a dry and windy day earlier in the month the seedheads were magically fluffy…

Then after a couple of weeks of frost and snow they have become smoother and far more elegant. Hard to believe it is the same plant.

4. Silvery foliage really stands out in a winter garden and Helichrysum italicum is possibly the best of all here. It does not darken or decompose at all and withstands our winter temperatures with grace.

5. I chose an Amaryllis as number five, since it would otherwise probably not get a mention on this blog. This pale pink one looks lovely on a windowsill with a snowy scene outside.

I couldn’t imagine a winter without at least one Amaryllis (Hippeastrum), and both of mine have flowered twice for me, this one being ‘Sweet Star’.

What is giving you pleasure in your garden at the moment? If you would like to join me in posting about your five favourites each month, please do! Leave a link in the comments too. Have a great week!



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