As March breezes through with scents of spring and promises of sunshine, Sean Walter from The Plant Specialist picks a few of his favourites for highlighting that fresh spring feeling in the garden.
HELLEBORES
One group of perennials that virtually dominates March are Hellebores, and there’s been a lot of new breeding recently with some really interesting species crosses emerging, such as the Penny’s Pink shown here. They have an abundance of flowers with an exceptionally long flowering period, and their decorative foliage provides added interest. Used singly, or in groups, they make very good ground-cover plants and don’t mind the shade either.
CORYDALIS TEMULIFOLIA
Worth considering at this time of the year is the emerging foliage from these perennials, which although aren’t flowers, can really add a splash of colour to the beds. Corydalis temulifolia ‘Chocolate Stars’ thrives in mild areas and will have this foliage from very early in the spring. It does well in semi-shade, too.
EUPHORBIA SIKKIMENSIS
Euphorbia sikkimensis is best grown in the sun and has brilliant colour from when it first emerges, and which continues for months as the stalks start to elongate.
RIBES SANGUINEUM
If you’re looking for deciduous shrubs for shady borders then Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicles’, or the new Ribes sanguineum ‘Elkington’s White’, can’t be bettered. Their open twiggy branches delicately display clusters of creamy white currant flowers, and once in leaf they offer an airy canopy which allows light to penetrate through to lower growing plants.
CARDAMINE PENTAPHYLLA
Cardamine pentaphylla always gives a stunning splash of colour in March. It naturalises in large drifts, but becomes dormant in the summer and is a good one for woodland conditions, or under large deciduous shrubs.
You can buy Sean’s picks from their nursery in Great Missenden, or why not visit their stand at GROW London this June where they will have a fabulous range of plants on show!