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.

A friend of mine, who lives in the tropical climes of Hawaii, remarked that she could not possibly live in such a cold climate, a tale of fresh coconuts and homegrown pineapples (imagine). However wondrous this may seem, I fear I would miss the annual dance around the seasons, the constant reminder of life in all its different stages. The exciting thing, right now, is that all the herbaceous perennials are stirring to life, they are fresh and optimistic, perfectly positive actually.

P. Festiva Maxima, P. Mons Jules Elie, P. Duchess de Nemours

Besides, what about peonies? Herbaceous peonies (Paeonia sp), need the cold, apparently thirty days of frost, to promote strong flowering, and who would want to be without a herbaceous peony. At the moment they are thick red asparagus like spears, which will in time unfurl into lush green palmate foliage, followed by large sumptuous flower heads in early summer.

Broadly speaking herbaceous peonies can be divided into 3 groups, there are singles, doubles and the Imperials. Singles and doubles are self explanatory, Imperials are interesting in that they are single flowers in which the stamens have become petal like filaments creating a contrasting inner density to the flower.

P. Scarlett O'Hara, P. Krinkled White, P. Bowl Of Beauty

Besides the wonders of herbaceous peonies, one cannot overlook the tree peony, of which Rockii, previously rare, is a certain Nurseryman’s favourite. Think golden yellow stamens encircled by huge white papery petals of crushed silk, blotched with inky berry markings at the base.

All peonies are long lived (100years recorded in some cultivars) and like a sunny site with rich soil (heavy but not waterlogged). Peonies in pots can be planted now, take care when planting, herbaceous peonies need their crown up at the surface to ensure good flowering and tree peonies are generally grafted plants so make sure the grafted union is well above the soil.

I cannot decide if I like the parrot tulip that is revealing itself from its tiny pot, a house warming gift. There is something about the red flowers crumpled green edge that from afar gives some kind of diseased look, and I think ugh what has happened to that tulip. The parrot tulips “look” actually was originally caused by a mosaic virus transmitted to the plant by a louse. Through the wonders of modern science the visual effect has been retained whilst removing the disease. Tulips incidentally hail from Turkey and were introduced to Holland about 400years ago with whom they have been associated with ever since.

On closer examination I concede that of course the parrot tulip does have some beauty, but I would struggle to dismiss any plant altogether. Last year I was enchanted by many a weed, simply for its wildflower value, one of the most impressive being a Tragopogon pratensis, otherwise known as Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon or Goats beard. In flower it is like a dandelion, but larger and more defined, and even more so when it turns to seed, almost as good as an Allium christophii bloom (shown in the pictures below).

The Auricula house is starting to transform, with some flowers and buds coming along on many. My favourites at the moment are the Double Auricula’s, which are like tiny velvet roses made by elves (who previously worked for the shoemaker). This one is crimson glow, I have it on my kitchen window sill, the coolest spot in the house but still with plenty of light.

Michael is passing on the blogging reigns for a bit as he is busy gearing up towards the fast approaching time of year all us gardeners have been waiting for. I scarcely believe that spring will truly come, and summer in turn- that flowers like Pacific Giant Delphiniums really do exist. I can see them now poking out of the ground, a sign of life from the dormant soil, but a mere nod to their eventual grandeur.

I by the way am Rohanna Heyes, a member of the Woottens team and among other things am a keen gardener from the far flung reaches of the South Island, New Zealand (it can be far colder than everyone thinks) where I studied Botany for a Bachleor of Science at Otago University. Right now I am dreaming of the flowers I fell for last summer: the black form of cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris “Ravenswing”), Pimpenella major Rosea (in form much like a cow parsley with soft pink umbels), Knautia macedonia, Gaura lindheimeri, Erigeron karvinskianus, Nepeta “Walkers Low”, Eryngium “Sapphire blue” and Echinops “Veitchs Blue”. The options are endless really when I look round the nursery these are but a few, and what better time is there than the present to start planning for summers bounty.

Meanwhile there are actually many wonderful plants that are grabbing attention right now, and one that cannot be passed with out a pause to inhale its beautiful fragrance is of course Daphne odora Aureomarginata. Daphne odora is a slow growing evergreen shrub (semi-evergreen in England) that hails from Eastern Asia. All Daphne’s prefer to be left alone once planted, so take time to choose the right spot. Daphne odora needs a free draining soil fertile soil, and prefers not to be pruned (taking a few sprigs of the delicious scent inside now and then is about all that is required). The D. odora cultivar Aureomarginata, is generally considered the hardiest and is at home in a border or in an informal woodland, but is perhaps best at an entrance way, where its fragrance can be more often appreciated. Red berries follow flowers.

On the nursery we also have the perhaps more exotic Daphne bholua “Jacquelline Postill” also known as the Nepalese paper plant after the production of paper and rope from its bark. It is particularly noted for its intensely fragrant flowers which are slightly larger than those of D. odora, it is bigger in habit too, growing in favourable conditions up to 4m high with a spread of 3m. It is evergreen (though deciduous at altitude in its native environment) with purple black berries following the flowers. It requires a fertile, free draining soil in either light shade to full sun, and is borderline hardy.