Bursting into life in the depths of winter, snowdrops are little symbols of hope, a sign that spring will be coming. Thriving in damp soil, snowdrops are often found in clusters beneath trees or carpe

Emily Chandler, National Trust head gardener at Dunham Massey in Cheshire, on gardening in the cold and the best flowers for winter scent

Nadia Shaikh watches out for signs of life each February, the month that gives us a teaser trailer for spring

At a time when much of the garden sleeps, winter flowers are all the more precious for their scarcity; an irrepressible bunch, undaunted by wind, frost or even a blanket of snow. Many are small, yet t

Alongside wet and windy weather, February will often bring bright sunshine, not a cloud in the blue, blue sky. Suddenly the catkins are here, the days are getting just that little bit lighter, and spr

The best of the season to inspire and admire