Winter is always a quiet period in the garden, with short, cold days and long frosty nights. However, some plants have adapted well to the conditions and produce exquisite flowers, even in the bleakest of environments. Given the low light levels, cold temperatures and often windy conditions, it is not surprising that most winter flowering bulbs and corms are short in height.

Several winter bulbs such as winter aconite and snowdrop show their flower buds at ground level, lengthening their stems only gradually as the daylight increases. Even so the stems will remain relatively short, but planted the displays will be marvelous. About 15 different species of snowdrop are found in Europe, from Spain to western Russia, the Crimea and Turkey, their flowering ranging from early to late winter, and many having slightly different markings or variations in flower size.

From these species many, many cultivars, each with their own distinctive characteristics, have been developed. The winter gallery also includes early crocuses, dwarf irises, tiny cyclamen and low growing bulbs. Only earliest daffodils, such as January gold, are significantly taller than the low growing snowdrops and aconites, and even they still reach only 25 to 30cm in height.

Snowdrop is the most familiar of all the snowdrop species grown in gardens. It is found widely throughout Europe, from Spain to western Russia, and also in Britain. It occurs naturally, both with single and double white flowers, all with a sweet honey scent. January gold is one of only a few daffodils that flower at this time of year. It grows to 12in high, with the large, golden flowers borne on relatively short stems, which stand up well to buffeting winds. The blooms should last three, four or even five weeks.