Choice plants in March
'After a mild February, you need to be wary of a March backlash just as you're adding new plants to your garden. However, March is the ideal time to plant, whether you're starting a border from scratch or filling gaps in an existing display. To help you choose the right plants, we've picked a few of our favourites that are looking their best right now. We've also thrown in a few timely tips on easy ways you can improve your garden.'
- Nursery Manager
Spectacular displays
'Many shrubs flower during spring, but a few literally stand out from the crowd. Here is a trio spectacular performers at this time of the year that will take your breath away.'
Now in bud ready for the big day, this wonderful evergreen azalea bears masses of small, funnel-shaped, semi-double, bright red flowers until early summer. It needs acid soil, but does well in a large container of ericaceous compost.
Few plants can equal the camellia for sheer beauty…and to this one I give top marks. The enormous peony-shaped, deep rose-pink flowers that cover this shapely evergreen shrub in March and April are quite breathtaking. It is a compact camellia that's perfect for growing in a container or for smaller gardens.
If you are a fan of forsythia choose 'Lynwood' because it is the most generous variety as far as flowering is concerned, bearing big deep-yellow flowers on branches of up to 2.5m (5ft) long - a stunning display of colour during spring. Great for early flower arranging, too.
Scent sensations
'Early spring is one of the best times to appreciate fragrant plants. Positioned near an entrance or well-used path, they'll turn the head of anyone who passes by'
Don't miss the delicious almond-scented, star-shaped, creamy-white, early spring flowers of this vigorous, evergreen clematis. It's ideal for a sunny west or south-facing site, that's sheltered from cold winds. Plant it next to a house entrance or well-worn path, allowing plenty of space for the climber to grow.
Enjoy the masses of scented, white jasmine-like flowers on arching branches above glossy, dark grey-green leaves with finely serrated edges from mid- to late spring. This rounded, bushy, evergreen shrub is ideal for a shrub or mixed border on well-drained soil in dappled shade.
I love magnolias and this is one of the most spectacular you can buy as well as being useful in a small garden. Magnificent goblet-shaped flowers up to 12cm (5in) across that are white inside, pink on the outside and wonderfully scented. A real treat during April and May.
Added interest
'Every garden could do with one or two plants that provide a talking point. The three We've selected are all easy to grow and small enough to fit in any sized plot.'
Commonly known as the corkscrew hazel or Harry Lauder's walking stick, this bizarre shrub is a real talking point in winter when its strongly twisted branches are silhouetted against the sky. Long catkins also appear in February on more mature plants. Weird!
I love this pretty, small, variegated, evergreen pieris with bright red, young leaves which develop silvery-white edges, contrasting beautifully with the older leaves. In mid and late spring, clusters of dainty, white, nodding bell-like flowers, resembling lily-of-the-valley appear. It needs an acid soil or can be grown in a container using ericaceous compost.
A beautiful clump-forming evergreen perennial with grass-like leaves which are so dark purple they appear almost black. They look good all year, especially when combined with other grasses. It's ideal for a semi-shaded site in tubs or for edging a border, where it will provide a brilliant contrast with just about everything!
Guaranteed to perform
'Some popular plants are universally liked for good reason. We've selected three early shrubs which are reliable, pest and disease resistant and practically look after themselves.'
Striking, cup-shaped, bright red flowers with conspicuous yellow centres from March to May, followed by aromatic, greenish-yellow fruit. This easy-to-grow, deciduous shrub is excellent for a partly shady border and looks stunning trained against a wall.
I love this handsome evergreen that's guaranteed to brighten the winter garden. It's variegated foliage, with irregular yellow margins, looks good all year and is decorated by clusters of fragrant, red-purple flowers right now. Plant it at the front of a prominent sunny border to appreciate the intoxicating scent to the full.
Eye-catching flattened heads of white flowers, opening from rosy-red buds from December to April, followed by dark blue-black fruit. This popular form of laurustinus is denser and more compact than the species.
