In flower now

April sunshine brings a wealth of delicate woodland flowers into bloom. Here’s our pick of the best

BRUNNERA MACROPHYLLA ‘JACK FROST’

Often grown for its shining, silvery, heart-shaped winter leaves, this perennial has extra wowfactor in April, when it produces fine sprays of delicate forget-me-not flowers. H40cm (16in) S60cm (2ft)

EXOCHORDA MACRANTHA

‘THE BRIDE’ Perfectly round white buds give this stunning shrub plant its common name of pearl bush. They burst into masses of pure white blossom that smothers the plant in a snowstorm of petals. H and S2m (6½ft)

PRIMULA DENTICULATA ALBA

These lollipop or ‘drumstick’ primulas form a dense pom-pom of flowers at the top of each tall stem. This pristine white cultivar seems to glow in a shady spot; it needs a moist soil and will self-seed easily when its needs are met. H45cm (18in) S35cm (14in)

AQUILEGIA VULGARIS

‘RUBY PORT’ This heirloom aquilegia dates back to the 1600s, but has bags of modern drama. Its deep red double blooms and dark stems are popular with garden designers. It’ll flower at the end of this month in warmer locations, and though it’s a short-lived perennial, it self-seeds easily. H75cm (28in) S30cm (12in)

MAGNOLIA STELLATA ‘JANE PLATT’

With (arguably) more charm than the more common white star-flowered magnolia, this rose-flushed cultivar has flowers packed with petals. The closed buds are an attractive deep pink. H2m (6½ft) S3m (10ft)

CERCIS SILIQUASTRUM

The free-flowering Judas tree produces masses of pink buds that sprout direct from the bark, covering branches in a pink haze, and distinctive seed pods. Grow in sun and well-drained soil. It’s slow growing, so won’t overwhelm smaller gardens. Eventual H and S10m (33ft)

ERYTHRONIUM DENS-CANIS

An unusual spring-flowering plant, the dog’s tooth violet has pink, star-shaped petals that reflex upwards a little like a cyclamen, above eye-catching mottled brown and green leaves. Thrives in sun or shade but needs soil with plenty of organic matter. H15cm (6in) S10cm (4in)

Loveable good looks

Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Valentine’ is an eye-catching red and white form of bleeding heart (formerly dicentra) from the USA. Its dangly heart-shaped flowers are usually pink or white, but this new scarlet form has a unique drama. Plant in dappled or part shade, in moist soil. Plant with deciduous ferns, where its arching stems will reach out between the expanding fronds. H60cm (2ft) S50cm (20in)