Experts say winter gardens can still flourish, with hardy plants thriving in the cold and January perfect for certain pruning and early planting
15:18, 11 Jan 2026Updated 15:57, 11 Jan 2026
The gardener said the small tree can withstand harsh winter winds(Image: GETTY)
With darker days and colder temperatures, winter often sees gardening fall by the wayside. Yet despite blustery and wet weather across Britain, experts have shared why we shouldn’t neglect our gardens entirely.
Gardening guru Diarmuid Gavin says one “gorgeous” tree is ideal for winter, as it stands strong against blustery conditions.
When asked which small tree he’d suggest for a sizeable container in the wind, he revealed: “An Amelanchier would be good, it has gorgeous blossom, good autumnal colour and produces fruit. It’s easy to grow too.”
Specialists say the optimal planting window for Amelanchier – categorised as either a small tree or substantial shrub depending on variety and growth method – varies depending on whether you’re working with bare-root stock, potted plants, or young saplings.
Gardening this January doesn’t have to be complicated(Image: GETTY)
Though it won’t bloom during winter months, gardeners value its resilience to freezing and frosty weather, needing no additional protection.
Responding to the same query in his Western Mail column, Diarmuid also suggested a dwarf pine as an option. Thanks to its modest proportions and thick foliage, it can handle brutal winter gales and heavy snowfall.
This evergreen also brings visual interest and framework to gardens when other plants are dormant through winter.
“[This] could also work, and shrubs such as hebe and escallonia will thrive in a windy place,” the horticulturalist added. What’s more, the Irish gardener has reeled off a list of tasks that can still be done in January, if safe to do so.
“It is a good time for planting bare-root roses, trees and shrubs if ground is not waterlogged or frozen,” he shared.
Gardener Diarmuid Gavin shared his top tips(Image: INSTAGRAM/DIARMUIDGAVIN)
Diarmuid’s also keen on getting your veg patch primed early by warming the soil – simply drape it with cloches or some clear polythene to do the trick.
“Start with some indoor veg such as broad beans,” he advised.
On the flip side, the green-fingered pro warns against trampling frosty lawns, as you’ll risk wrecking them.
“If ponds are icy and you have fish, break the surface with a stick to let oxygen in, but be careful not to slip,” he added.
“If you’re weeding borders, put a plank of wood down to stand on so there’s less damage.”
A purple Hebe (Veronica shrub) flower in close-up(Image: )
Meanwhile, Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, has flagged up other January gardening jobs worth tackling.
He says dormant fruit trees, blowsy hydrangeas and climbing roses are crying out for a good trim to strip away dead wood and spark fresh, vigorous growth.
Speaking to Country Living magazine, he explained: “January is an ideal time for pruning many deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers, as the plants are dormant, promoting healthy growth and improved flowering.
“Pruning now minimises disease risk and sap bleeding for the plants mentioned.”
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