Chinese witch hazel

Hamamelis mollis ‘Wisley Supreme’ glows in the low winter sun. Its fragrance—something of pear and vanilla—is a welcome greeting near Elizabeth Lawrence’s front door.

tazetta daffodil

Narcissus ‘Early Pearl’ lives up to its name. It’s also highly fragrant.

daffodil

Narcissus ‘February Gold’ also lives up to its name by blooming early in the month.

hoopskirt daffodil

This Narcissus romieuxii hybrid has a more flared “skirt” than other hoopskirts.

camellia

Camellia x williamsii ‘Freedom Bell’ comes into full glory this month.

daffodil

Narcissus ‘February Silver’ is another little bulb that lives up to its name.

spring star flower

Speaking of little bulbs, Ipheion uniflorum is a wonderful one to plant in the lawn. Its season of growth is opposite that of almost any type of lawn.

flowering quince

Elizabeth’s original Chaenomeles x superba ‘Apple Blossom’ has bloomed faithfully every spring since 1950.

Burkwood osmanthus

Osmanthus x burkwoodii has very similar flowers to the more common fragrant tea olive, but its fragrance is milder and fresher.

crocus

One of Elizabeth Lawrence’s favorite little bulbs was Crocus chrysanthus ‘Cream Beauty’. These have been restored to the garden in recent years.

reticulate iris

Iris reticulata ‘Spot On’ has sharply contrasting colors, which makes for a dramatic yet small-statured bloom.

mouse-tail plant

You must look very closely for the adorable and playful blooms of Arisarum proboscideum. Find a patch of this deciduous ground cover at the edge of the path beyond the pool.

double Lenten rose

Winter is the season for the Lenten rose. Helleborus ‘Sparkling Diamond’ is a lovely newer addition to the garden.

hare's ear snowdrop

It’s easy to see how Galanthus nivalis ‘Scharlockii’ gets its common name.

Sim's azalea

Elizabeth Lawrence’s original Rhododendron simsii ‘Vitattum’ usually throws a few to several blooms in December and January. This may be the rarest shrub in the garden.