Species and giant ramblers’ hips are sparkling under the snow or frost, and are a real treat for the birds.

The first shrub in bloom, V. bodnantense ‘Dawn’ defies the cold and blooms early January over the first Spring bulbs.

Here Cyclamen coum among Crocus tommasinianus which seeds itself profusely.

meanwhile, in the Secret Garden, C.coum joins the Galanthus (snow drops) and the fearless Iris unguicularis or Algerian Iris.