Spring plants WITH ZING

1 Narcissus ‘Toto’

This little star has a pale yellow trumpet that fades to milky-white – dainty, elegant and good for naturalising in grass or borders.

2 Burkwood viburnum

Plant semi-evergreen shrub Viburnum x burkwoodii by a path to enjoy its highly fragrant white flowers that open in clusters from pink buds in mid and late spring.

3 Crab apple

Malus ‘Evereste’ is a must-have tree smothered by white spring blossom, followed by a second show of orange-yellow fruits in autumn. It is an excellent choice for smaller gardens.

4 Dog’s tooth violet

Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ has exotic-looking sulphur-yellow flowers and glossy green leaves. It will form clumps in time in partial shade.

5 Tulip ‘Gavota’

This lovely tulip has stand-out markings of mahogany-red against a strong creamy-yellow edge.

6 Astrantia ‘Roma’

This puts on a show of pretty pink tiny pincushion flowers from June to September, and it has clump-forming foliage that helps to smother weeds.

7 Ribes sanguineum (flowering currant)

Still quite rare, Ribes sanguineum ‘Elkington’s White’ is worth seeking out for its fresh green foliage and clusters of showy white spring flowers, which are followed by blue-black fruits.

8 Tulipa sprengeri

A cheerful and rewarding little species tulip from Turkey that thrives in cool, damp, humus-rich soil and slowly spreads once happy.

9 Balm-leaved red deadnettle

Lamium orvala is a nettle, but it has no sting and forms a healthy clump with purple-pink flowers.

10 Epimedium

Every garden should feature the groundhugging heart-shaped leaves and spurred flowers of epimediums. They are generally hardy and enjoy a spot of dappled shade and well-drained soil.

11 Allium ‘Gladiator’

There are lots of alliums to choose from – this reliable one will give you large lavender-purple pompoms on strong upright stems.

12 Shuttlecock fern

Unfurling fern fronds are a spring favourite and attractive Matteuccia struthiopteris won’t disappoint.