RHS diary: what to do in the garden in January Order mail order herbaceous perennials in good time. This is a most economical way of buying choice plants, but the season ends in spring and demand can be high for the best plants. Next month is peak mulching time. Do this after any fertiliser applications to trees, shrubs and climbers. Order mulch material and fertiliser now - if you shop around you can make significant savings. Christmas houseplants can bring vine weevil, mealybugs, leafhoppers, whitefly and other pests - examine these plants closely and treat as required. Take root cuttings of perennials of oriental poppies (Papaver orientale), verbascum, phlox, acanthus and eryngium. Check stakes of newly planted trees to ensure that high winds have not loosened the soil around the rootball. Adjust the tie or stake and firm the soil. Now would be good time to send garden machinery for servicing and tools for sharpening, to avoid the spring rush. Their striking, blowsy flowers make amaryllis (correct name Hippeastrum) a popular Christmas present. Given the right care, the bulb will charm you with its flowers year after year. After the plant has flowered don't cut off the leaves, but continue watering, feed weekly with a balanced liquid fertiliser and keep in good light indoors. You can move the pot outside during the summer, but protect from sun scorch, slugs and snails. Festive: Hippeastrum are a popular Christmas gift To flower again, the bulb needs a cool , dry resting period. Move the bulb in its pot in early autumn to a well-lit, cooler spot; keep it at about 13C (55F) for a couple of months. Do not feed and reduce watering. The bulb will become semidormant, and the foliage will wither. To put it more simply, stop watering in late September, let the compost dry out and move the pot to a cool, but frost-free place such as a shed or garage for a month or two. The foliage will die back. After the dormant period, cut off the dead or withered leaves to about 10cm (4in). Replace the top 2.5cm (1in) of compost. Keep in good light at about 21C (70F). Water sparingly at first until the leaves start appearing. Take care not to overwater: this can cause rotting of the roots and the base of the bulb. Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens 'Freckles This is an attractive evergreen clematis for any fertile, well-drained soil. It has dark green leaves that develop a bronze tinge in winter and charming, creamy flowers, heavily maroon-speckled inside. These appear during late autumn, winter or early spring when flowers in the garden are scarce. Plant in a sunny, warm and sheltered spot to reduce frost and wind damage. In colder areas grow in a container and protect with fleece during periods of harsh weather or move to a greenhouse or cool conservatory. If needed, prune immediately after flowering in spring. Stainless steel transplanting trowel This is one of the most versatile tools for the garden. The narrower body lends itself to the transplanting of module-raised plants. The shape and digging depths also make it a useful tool for bulb planting. There are several models on the market, though the types with a slightly pointed tip, made for example by Draper (pictured above) and Sealey, are better for individual planting of smaller bulbs, larger seeds and also for spot weeding. Trowel shown, £4.80 from Just Off Base (0870 922 4114) From January 12 to February 24 escape winter with a visit to Butterflies in the Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley. Guaranteed to banish the winter blues. Normal admission applies, RHS members go free. rhs.org.uk/wisley. The Winter Sculpture Exhibition at RHS Garden Rosemoor continues throughout January. Many of the pieces are for sale. Normal garden entry applies. rhs.org.uk/rosemoor. From January 1 to February 28, visit The Barn Restaurant at RHS Hyde Hall where you can enjoy one two-course meal and get another free with the Meal Deal voucher, available to download from the RHS website, rhs.org.uk/hydehall. The RHS will be getting behind the RSPB to help them with the world's largest wildlife survey - the Big Garden Birdwatch (January 26-27). Why not get involved and help us survey the birds at RHS Garden Harlow Carr? The RSPB will be on hand to answer all your questions. Normal garden entry applies.