Sensation! CREATE A SPRING
Bulbs, buds and blossom bring fresh energy into the spring garden. Val Bourne reveals her colourful favourites
March often ‘comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb’ , because it’s the sea-change month that generally kicks winter into touch. At some stage there’ll be warmth in a strengthening sun and a buzz of anticipation in the garden. Lots of early flowers respond and they’re vital for wildlife because many of our most helpful pollinators hibernate without any food stores. When they wake, they’re desperate for an energising nectar fix and some protein-rich pollen to raise their brood, so make sure you’ve got some early flowers in your garden. The revolution starts at ground level, under the benign presence of a shrub or tree that hasn’t leafed up yet. These opportunist plants grab their moment in the spotlight, encouraged by a protective canopy of bare branches and a network of woody roots. It’s possible to plant right up to a tree trunk, but you can also do the same with deciduous shrubs by lifting their ‘skirts’; remove the lower tier of branches to create more space for your woodland carpet underneath. March also brings blossom and a pink branch, seen against a milky sky, is one of the great glories of early spring. Blossom is mainly white or pink and many spring flowers share the same milky colour palette so you’ll need to add some flecks of strong colour too. Rich blues make all those yellow daffodils look so much brighter. ➤
A pink branch, seen against a milky sky, is one of the glories of early spring
BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL Related to the wood anemone, Hepatica nobilis thrives in a sheltered spot under deciduous trees. Plants need spring sunshine and summer shade
Hepaticas love being tucked away under deciduous trees