Best in the Gardens – February

February’s collection of unmissable plants.

At Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, we have one of the largest collections of hardy trees and shrubs in the world. From the brilliant reds of Parrotia persica to the pretty purple of Hillier’s own Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’, there are flowers to suit everyone’s tastes.

For more information about the unique plants you can see in the Gardens this February, read on.

Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’

(DAF-nee boh-LOO-ah)

Daphnes can, at times, be difficult plants to grow. However, once happy in a spot, they can give years of fragrant winter flowers. This species of Daphne is native to the Himalayas. A relatively tall growing species with white to deep pink flowers, they prefer neutral to alkaline soils to flourish. The variety ‘Jacqueline Postill’ was bred by the Hillier nurseries long serving propagator and breeder, Alan Postill and named in honour of his wife. This is considered the best variety for garden cultivation of the species.

Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’

(par-ROT-ee-uh PER-see-kuh)

The ‘Persian Ironwood’ is not a rare sight in the UK but is often walked past in the spring and summer, as another green shrub or small tree. Their most showy times of year are late winter with the strange flowers made up of red stamen and Autumn, when the strong colours, reds and purples, are some of the best colour of that time of year. ‘Vanessa’ is a particularly good upright form, that makes a superb small tree.

Eranthis hyemalis

(eer-RAN-this hy-EH-may-liss)

The ‘Winter Aconite’ is one of the first bulbous plants to flower in the winter. Although their flowering period is quite short, they die down to almost nothing, just a tiny tuber in the ground. This means that you can plant a later flowering plant or bulb in the same spot to extend the season of interest. Eranthis are perfect underneath deciduous trees.

Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Yelverton’

(SAY-liks AL-ba vy-tel-LY-nuh)

For the easiest, no fuss, instant winter colour plant, the white willow is the perfect plant. Willows will grow almost anywhere. They prefer a sunny position with room to grow. Keep them, as we do, as a coppice, that is to cut them to ground level every spring and you will have bright coloured stems for up lifting winter colour. There are many varieties around, however, ‘Yelverton’ is a really sumptuous, golden yellow, outstanding on a cold winter’s day.

Sarcococca confusa

(sar-KOH-koh-kuh kon-FEW-suh)

One of the most fragrant shrubs of winter. Sometimes known as ‘Sweet Box’ and indeed, closely related to true box, but thankfully without the same susceptibility to recent disorders. This is a slow spreading, evergreen shrub that can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Flowering with small, strand-like flowers over several months during the winter.

For information on where to find more plants of current interest in the Gardens, take a look at our guide and map.