If you get a chance to visit when there has been a dusting of snow or on a frosty morning - don't forget we open at 8 a.m. every day apart from Christmas day - you will find the Pinetum magically transformed. Look out for early flowering shrubs such as Rhododendrons and Witch Hazels (see picture left). Towards the end of the month, look out for early budding trees such as Abies (spruces) and catkins on hazel.
What's Looking Good in February
As well as the early flowering trees look out for the birds, which are much easier to see in winter. Flocks of 30+ crossbills have been seen as well as hawfinches and bullfinches. Our usual winter residents are all to be seen, chaffinches, great tits, blue tits, marsh tits, coal tits, and long tailed tits as well as the beautiful goldfinches and goldcrests. Siskins which have been elusive during the winter are more easily seen now.
