True blues

Tip: plant a multi-stemmed birch (Betula pendula or B. utilis), Japanese flowering cherry or paperbark maple to create a miniature woodland effect where space is limited

The first green shoots of camassias are starting to emerge now, a promise of treats to come. I’ve never grown these moisture-loving North American beauties but am inspired to do so by Stella Exley of Hare Spring Cottage Plants, who will exhibit hers for the first time at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year. Plant bulbs in the autumn for the following year or, if you can’t wait, order pot-grown plants from Stella (£5 for a 9cm pot; £7 for 2 litre) and collect from her at the Cardiff, Harrogate, Harlow Carr or Malvern spring flower shows (07792 376805; harespringcottageplants.co.uk).