January may not be the best time to visit any garden. However, a walk round at this time of year reveals views which open up and are just not possible in summer and the garden has a very different character. The low winter sun often catches the peeling bark on the Tibetan cherries, Prunus serrula, catch it right and it looks like it’s on fire for a brief moment. You’ll find plants like Mahonia in full flower, their panicles of bright yellow flowers as good as any Laburnum. Christmas box (Sarcocca) fills the air with its heady scent too. You really get to see the shape and form of many of the trees too, such as the Japanese Zelkova near the Vessels of Life sculpture (map no 36) and close by the stripped trunk of the aptly named snake bark tree, Acer davidii. Its great sometimes just to get out and take a walk round the garden and see it in this quiet sleeping phase. Spring is never very far away and even in November we could see the daffodils starting to show, and the birds down at the bird hide (map no23) are starting to call and sing. Of course no visit is complete without calling in at the greenhouse. The titan Arum, now in its 7-8^th year is growing back again already, it looks like it going to be another giant leaf. We have placed all of our outdoor furniture in the greenhouse for this winter and we hope visitors will enjoy using it there.

FUN FOR FAMILIES

From a day out in the fresh air, to Christmas craft activities in our glasshouses, the Botanic Garden offers a variety of activity to keep kids entertained throughout the year.

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4SCHOOLS

Book a visit to Durham University Botanic Garden with the 4schools team to explore the Garden and discover more about its fascinating plant-life and natural areas.

View the 4Schools Page