The January cutting garden can feel bleak to some. Colourless and lifeless, it doesn’t inspire much. I would disagree. There’s opportunity to see last year’s success and this years potential in one frame. A tangle of rose stems, although needing a prune show a flourishing summer. Twists of blackcurrant stems now sturdy and strong, show a rich harvest of leaves.
Blackcurrant is a favourite filler of mine. Planted as a tiny stick, the blackcurrant bush takes over the back of the garden. It’s the first plant on my list for winter attention. I need to get in quick as the first daffodils have begun surface underneath and I don’t want to trample them. They could (I say hopefully) be in flower next month! Adding currants to my cut flower collection is a top priority. The leaves make such a wonderful filler foliage for summer arrangements. I currently (sorry!) have a blackcurrant bush but would like to add both red and white currants. They will not only be edible but beautiful in the summertime.
January is a time of notebooks, reading and research. I know there is a bag of daffodils winking at me but the weather hasn’t been onside to get planting. When inside, it’s time to get planning. Fresh from wreath making, I’ll plan my succession of flowers backwards. Looking at what worked for winter workshops and working through the months to early summer flowers.
When considering what to grow each year I look at a few factors; Firstly, what grew well. This changes year on year but I can always guarantee snap dragons, strawflowers, cosmos and cornflowers to do well. I then look at what I’d like to grow: a chance to try new varieties. This year different filler flowers are piquing my interest. I’d like to expand on my range of asters and also really give phlox a proper try. Dahlia’s don’t thrive in the garden but it won’t stop me from buying more tubers. It’s a problem I’m ok with!
My thoughts can tumble, so I keep everything focused by creating a huge moodboard for the year ahead. With not as many weddings booked this year. I have been given freedom with what I choose to plant in the cutting garden. Soft colours are speaking to me. I’d like to use this year’s flowers to explore ideas I have whirring away, as well as writing more and creating different bouquets and arrangements. In The last five years I have established a strong foundation of skills which I can’t wait to develop further.
January is a quiet month, a gift when I can get outside. A gift when I can stay in and rest a little longer before the urgency of Spring calls and the garden gallops back into life.
If you’d like more garden content, take a look at these past posts.
The Cutting Garden : January 2025
A Complete beginners guide to seed sowing
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