Winter is a really busy time for the Garden Team. After completing the bulb planting Kate and Alex are busy with the herbaceous tidy up and deciduous pruning. There are 74 rose plants in the garden. Only one, Rosa banksiae lutea does not need any attention at this time. The wall climbers and those over arches and obelisks are untied, pruned and re-trained – Other major pruning tasks include 2 wisterias which will be carried out in late January or February and various clematis. It’s the time of year for transplanting shrubs, planting new ones, mulching, ordering seeds as well as arranging for machinery to undergo annual maintenance which is completed before mowing re-starts in early February. This season will also see a major overhaul of the irrigation system. Look out for daffodils, snowdrops (first ones appeared in November), and  tulips. There are plenty of other more unusual bulbs such as Fritillaria raddeana  (late February) as well as Hellebores and cyclamen. The small area outside Blackstones Chambers will see more unusual bulbs flowering ahead of wild flowers which will follow in the summer months. In Fountain Court there is a lovely display of Camellias for 3 months. A Combination of the garden’s micro-climate due to its inner-city location, changing temperatures and selection of diverse varieties will ensure plenty of colour over a long season.