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I really love Christmas - it's the only thing that cheers up winter for me (except snowdrops, which give me something to smile about in February). 'Bah humbug' is simply not in my vocabulary. And the kitschier and more traditional Christmas

x 8cm.Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalisThe deep green foliage and attractive flowers of Climbing beans make them ideal for growing in ornamental borders. They take up little space, as they can be grown up a trellis or bean poles, reaching a height

’s quite surprising how different bulbs' flowering times are. For example, one catalogue showed how to plan for 100 days of flowers from daffodils alone. Tulips are equally versatile, but add in crocus, hyacinth, fritillaries, snowdrops, anemone and others

.The pansies should last until spring if you deadhead them regularly. Replace them with pots of 'Tête-à-tête' daffodils, or, if they fade earlier, with snowdrops or crocus.More seasonal plant projectsMaking a Christmas wreath.Creating a winter display of aster

to the garden when the container is past its best - they will grow for years to comeFor extra protection against the cold, line metal containers with bubblewrap. It will help prevent compost from freezingMore winter plant projectsPlant up a snowdrop

in the flowers as they open.I’m aiming to have something in bloom for passing insects from January, starting with winter aconites and snowdrops, moving to snake’s head fritillary and grape hyacinth. Then, for me, I’m growing my favourite daffodil: ‘Minnow

strip of land we use as a cutting patch. For years we had a few daffodils, tulips, snowdrops and gladioli growing in it, but this year a whole sack of daffs was added. They were a birthday present in February, so were planted quite late. The result? A

uncut, as it looks lovely when frosted. Inspiration for autumn colourCreating an autumn display of dogwoods, snowdrops and lilyturf.Adding autumn colour with skimmia, heuchera and euonymus.Planting up an autumn container with dogwood, fern and skimmia.

it with bubble wrap or polystyrene before planting.More ideas for structural displaysAdd height to your borders with a home-made metal obelisk.Grow an ornamental Japanese acer in a pot.Combine height and colour with a container display of dogwood, snowdrops

to be admired, and I'd grow it for its leaves alone. But at this time of year it adds a new dimension by producing erupting clouds of dainty forget-me-not blue flowers. Gorgeous! My brunnera grows alongside ferns and foxgloves, and my oriental hellebore