During winter, gardens can often look dull and uninspiring as the vibrant colours and lush greenery of summer and autumn fade away.
That’s why gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh shared his top tip for brightening up British gardens during the dreary winter months.
The TV personality and horticultural expert told the Mirror that the perfect plant to add a splash of colour to your outdoor space, no matter the size, is the Winter Jasmine.
Alan highlighted the resilience and beauty of Jasminum nudiflorum, which blooms with vibrant yellow flowers from November to February.
“Its botanical name, Jasminum nudiflorum, refers to the fact that it flowers on naked stems, and the yellow flowers are carried at any time from November until February,” he explained.
The beloved gardener reassured enthusiasts that Winter Jasmine is robust enough to withstand the cold without much frost protection, ensuring a display of cheer even on the chilliest days.
He noted: “Only severe weather – when the stems are rimed with frost – will cause its blooms to be stopped in their tracks, but once the cold snap has passed the plant recovers and the flowering continues.”
Alan Titchmarsh has shared his wisdom on the care of Winter Jasmine, a plant that can bring vibrant colour to your garden during the bleakest months.
“A wall or fence of any aspect will suit this scrambler and horizontal wires or trellis will allow its stems to be tied in,” he advises for those looking to train the plant against a support structure.
According to Gardener’s World, Winter Jasmine is also perfect for pots, offering a stunning trailing display.
Planting should be done in autumn or winter, and as Alan points out, maintenance is straightforward: “Only when it stops flowering will you need to worry about pruning.
“Cut out a few of the oldest flowered stems each year in March and tie in new, healthy green ones,” he instructs, reports the Mirror.
While the flowers may lack scent, their cheerful presence is invaluable, and the plant’s vigorous growth habit was highlighted by Alan.
He said: “A shoot of jasmine has only to touch the soil to form roots and start up life.”
