Things to do in March!
March has arrived and at last we can say 'it's Springtime' offering us a few more rays of sunshine and longer days than those that we have experienced recently.
Our soil will gradually warm up so that before you know it, plants will 'spring' into growth.
There is one major colour that expresses springtime. That colour can only be yellow, and what could be a more appropriate flower to illustrate this - the daffodil!
There are a wide range of daffodil (Narcissi) to choose from. The diversity of narcissi enables every garden to incorporate one or more of the varieties available.
For example, the tiny cyclamineus daffodil with its swept back petals can be planted in windowboxes and pots as well as in the border and rock gardens. If you prefer the traditional trumpet daffodil it won't be long before they make their annual show.
Why not pick your flowers and take a little bit of your garden into your home too! Make a floral arrangement, or simply place them in a vase. The scent and impact of colour will brighten up your home and carry it into springtime.
As a lot of gardens rely on trees to provide height in the garden, the backdrop may be quite bare in terms of colour at present. However, the crocuses growing en masse beneath the deciduous trees brings a definite contrast to the bold, architectural shape.
The varieties 'Cream Beauty' and 'Blue Pearl' with their bold yellow centre are very refreshing and cannot fail to catch the eye.
There are a number of trees that are too large for the smaller garden. However, there are colourful shrubs available for every size of garden. These can cover the ground or fill a bed or border with attractive foliage and/or flowers. One shrub that springs to mind is Forsythia (intermedia. spectabilis) which carries a profusion of yellow flowers on leafless branches.
If you are an old romantic and enjoy the scent and beauty that the rose offers, then let me introduce you to the 'Maigold', a climbing rose which is about to burst into colour. Its huge showy flower will brighten up any wall.
Be careful of the high content of thorns - a particularly guilty variety, but well worth putting up with!