Inside the Winter 2011 issue of Country Gardener

Our latest issue and last of the year – our Winter issue – is now available to read and contains a look at news, events and happenings from the counties we cover around the West Country plus all the regular features you love.

Read our 'Time Off' pages

Enjoy the best gardens to visit throughout the year in our exclusive 'Time Off' pages in Country Gardener every issue.  To see where you can pick up your copy, see our distribution lists under 'About Us'.

Christmas starts here!

We all say it – every year it gets harder to find unusual gifts for friends and family.

Well, if you’re looking for a different seasonal gift for anyone – even yourself! – our Winter issue contains some great ideas to be found in rural venues away from shopping malls and High Street bustle. We’ve also got a selection of gifts that you don’t even have to leave home to buy.

What trees should be on your Christmas list?

One of the nicest Christmas presents is something for the garden which will grow and be a permanent reminder of your gift. So here's some Country Gardener ideas for trees which will brighten up your garden and some special ideas for a winter garden.

Even in the depth of the dark short days of winter, there can be brightness to bring cheer.

Plants like Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel' and Malus toringo arborescens hang on to their autumn fruits in to the new year, looking like Christmas tree decorations.

Equally there is flower to be appreciated during mild spells if you plant the Glastonbury or Holy Thorn Crataegus monogyna 'Biflora' or one of the winter flowering cherries like Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis'. Add to this the rich stem colours of Acer griseum, Prunus rufa, Prunus serrula and Betula albo sinensis septentrionalis.

Evergreens come into their own in the winter. A backdrop of a yew or holly hedge can set off winter stem effects. A dark green holly such as Ilex aquifoilum 'J C van Thol' or variegated holly like Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' can make a spectacular garden feature, particularly if covered in red berries.

However, don't forget conifers. The architectural structure of the Korean Fir Abies koreana or the Likiang Spruce Picea likiangensis covered in dainty cones, can add a totally different element to an otherwise fairly bare garden.

Many people when they think of flowering trees think only of spring. However, there are trees that flower in July, August and September and add something a little more exotic to the garden. These include the various scented flowered Indian Bean Trees (Catalpa), yellow flowered Pride of India (Kolreuteria paniculata), Pagoda Tree (Sophora japonica) and the stunning evergreen column of Eucryphia 'Nymansay'.

Snowdrop time is on its way

At a bleak time of year the sight of masses of snowdrops gives a taste of spring. It's time to plan to see some of the wonderful snowdrop displays which will soon be starting to appear. So wrap up warmly, get your walking shoes on and find these lovely sites below in different counties.