It's dark, it's cold, it's grey... In January, we gardeners wear a sad face, pacing around the living room. A glance out the window is enough to make us falter. Because yes, everything is there: for the plant lover and greenery enthusiast, it's hard not to bury our hands in the soil or stick our nose into the petals of a rose... So let's set aside the harshness of winter, keep our spirits high, and move forward! A little tour of the garden (well wrapped up) reminds us why we are so passionate...

Here, an azalea, a bit disoriented by the mild weather of recent weeks, has decided to get a head start; a single flower dares to brave the cold, and it might regret it... Further on, a rosebud that has never bloomed lingers a little longer. And the hellebores, which are a bit less intimidated by the cold, are determined to put on a show all by themselves. Let's enjoy them, for if the snow arrives, they will be less vibrant...

Hellebore flowers brave the cold of winter! Hellebore flowers brave the cold of winter!

There, the fruits of an ornamental apple tree seem to be still well attached; the birds love them, and they will make a nice dinner. The roses have not yet had their final say: the hips of the botanical rose glauca (Rosa glauca or rubrifolia) or the rugosa rubra rose, as well as those of horticultural varieties (provided we don't remove their faded flowers), are very decorative and brighten up the depths of winter.

The colourful fruits of roses, called hips, remain decorative until the heart of winter The colourful fruits of roses, called hips, remain decorative until the heart of winter

And oh! Surprise, a few perennials are starting to stir: here a bergenia and there, a sedum... The first bulbs are waking up, the garden emerging from hibernation well before us. One could almost shout, "Spring is coming soon!" And here we are, with red noses and frozen hands, but smiles on our faces, delighted to always take what the garden has to offer, season after season.

Snowdrop flowers appear in January regardless of the weather, whether it snows or is mild like this year! Snowdrop flowers appear in January regardless of the weather, whether it snows or is mild like this year!

So here are my recommendations for enjoying this month of January:

  • Drink plenty of infusions, settled in warmly: if I can't find them in the garden, I bring the plants into my kitchen;
  • Keep your eyes wide open, even (and especially) in the city: often, colours like to surprise me from the top of a wall or at the corner of a window;
  • Feed the birds: for our garden roommates, winter is much harsher than for us, and they certainly deserve a little help from us;
  • Watch for the first snowdrops peeking through, and marvel that Mother Nature hasn't forgotten this appointment once again;

And you'll see, spring will be here in the blink of an eye...