Classic Gardening Magazine

There are plenty of great gardens, but not all of them are great all of the time. Many have a season in which they are at their best. And, when it comes to the winter months, there are few gardens that - however wonderful the rest of the year - are captivating when the frost is on the ground.

So here is the Classic Gardening month-by-month guide to gardens that will not disappoint.

10 Great December Gardens

The autumn colours have faded, the spring bulbs are still some weeks away, but these gardens are lovely to look at right now.

10 Great January Gardens
In January, the bare branches and empty herbaceous borders can expose a garden for the sham that it is. Or... and this is where great January gardens make their mark, a wonderful structure can be revealed. That's where Cambridge Botanical Garden (pictured) and our other nine nominees score this month.

10 Great February Gardens
Let’s hear it for the snowdrop. I love them, despite the fact they won’t grow in my garden. Here are 10 great February gardens which, as well as having a wonderful display of Galanthus, offer the winter visitor a great deal else to enjoy. Many sell their plants either in pots or in the green, and have special events.

Great March Gardens

It's all about bulbs this month. Kew claims to have the biggest display of spring bulbs in the country and, walking around, it looks like they could well be right.

There are five million flowering bulbs at the Royal Botanical Gardens, including two million blue, white and mauve crocuses (Crocus vernus) and goodness knows how many daffodils along the Broad Walk from the orangery to the lake beside the Palm House. Indeed, so fascinating is it that we only managed to recommend five March gardens. Sorry. Will do better next month.