Visit this RHS Wisley’s Butterflies in the Glasshouse is the perfect antidote to the January blues. More than 50 exotic species fly free, and you can learn about the butterfly lifecycle. Until 4 March; details at rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley.
Plant this Blossom isn’t just for spring: winter cherry (Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’) flowers on and off between November and March, with pink buds opening to white semi-double blooms. It is compact enough for small gardens, reaching from 4-8m height and spread in its lifetime. Needs full sun.
Try this Put up nest boxes around your garden to catch the eye of birds scoping out potential homes for spring. Face them north or east, away from feeding areas and out of reach of cats. A simple wooden box is best: avoid boxes with metal roofs as they get too hot in summer, and plastic ones, which create too much condensation for nestlings.
