Passing by hedgerows turning frothy with blossom, and golden slippered with daffodils, suddenly I feel its safe to believe that spring really is here. What marks the first day of spring is it a date, or a bluebell, or something else? Already we have had some wonderfully warm days, where working away (albeit rather vigorously) one has been reduced to a t-shirt!

Euphorbia ceratocarpa has caught my eye this week, its one of those wonderful plants which offers something all year round. Coming through the winter with stems shaded in red tones topped off with golden limey green willow like leaves, followed up with limey yellow flowers in summer.

It likes a free draining soil, so loam, sandy or chalky, the main thing being it hates having wet feet, especially in winter, plant in the right place and it will never disappoint! The plant has an open habit giving it a delicacy other Euphorbias lack and adding to its versatility as a garden plant which fully mature will reach the height and spread of around 1.5m. There are many planting options, some recommend Phormiums, I like the idea of mixing with the grass Anamenthele lessoniana, Nepeta, Gaura, and perhaps some Erigeron karvinskianus.