Winter is a time of small, but intense pleasures – a quiet moment watching the flurry of activity at the birdfeeder, the unexpected and powerful scent of viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ or your first pot of Paperwhite’s in full bloom. The beauty of plants encrusted in frost and catching the early morning sun, the warmth of the fire whilst you look at plant books, order seeds and bulbs and dream of how wonderful the garden will be next year. It’s impossible to ignore Christmas – the scent of foliage, the arguments over choosing the perfect tree, trips to the garden centre to buy red cyclamen and berried plants to dress up the front door for visiting guests. Gardeners all want beautiful but practical presents – a shiny new Burgon and Ball hand tool spade, or the yearned for Felco secateurs. If you don’t know what to buy a true gardener, get them the next best thing – a gift voucher, and let them choose for themselves!