In the flower garden

Gardens can lose their colour at this time of year, but there are ways to brighten things up.

Sow

sweet peas, unless you live in a warmer region. If you do, leave it until June or July or the stems may grow excessively tall before flowering.

If

they’re open, garden centres should have flowering Ericas – hardy, low-growing shrubs such as heather – Polyanthus, and pansies for pots and garden beds.

Plant

spring-flowering annuals. Sow seeds or plant seedlings of stock, sweet williams, and wallflowers.

Plant

perennials such as lupins, hollyhocks, and Canterbury bells. These need a long season to establish, but once they do, they’ll bloom for several years.

Potted

flowering plants such as dianthus, cyclamen, and nerines might be on sale for Mother’s Day. Plant outdoors once they’ve finished flowering.

Take

rose cuttings. Select healthy, pencilthick stems with at least three leaf nodes. Cut above the top node and just below the bottom node. Remove any buds. Dip the bottom end in rooting hormone and insert into a mix of compost and coarse sand or pumice. Place in a sheltered spot over winter and keep moist. When roots appear after a few months, repot and wait a year before planting out.

You

can also take cuttings from many perennials, including daisies, hebes, and viburnums.

This

month is your last chance to plant spring-flowering bulbs if you can find any for sale. You might still find daffodils and tulips, which can be planted later than others. In warmer northern regions, chill bulbs in the fridge for 4-6 weeks.