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of the brassica family, which is apparent in the flowers. It grows best near water, hence its presence by my ditch.As folklore has it, this plant is sacred to the fairies and is therefore unlucky if brought indoors. I have no idea what terrible revenge the fairies

While the large flower shows are pretty mind-blowing, it's the local flower shows that get me excited about growing plants and vegetables. Many towns and villages have horticultural societies or gardening clubs, which hold at least one flower show a

the snow settled on the floods!All this and it is a mere 16 weeks before we are on site, and 12 weeks before the gardens are built at the Chelsea Flower Show. I always find it a miracle that the plants are ready for the show. It's as if the plants know

of gritty, well-drained compost and keep in a cold greenhouse. Height 10cm.Tecophilaea cyanocrocusAs a species, Ipheion uniflorum can look a bit wishy-washy, but 'Wisley Blue' is very pretty. Its flowers are like big, upward-facing blue stars. Plant it among

Climbing flamesAs summer progresses, late-flowering clematis come into their own, and for me they're as much a part of summer as long, balmy evenings and cricket.There are few plants that give me as much pleasure or colour for so little work as late-flowering

Gold', which seems to produce flowers from January onwards. I also plant tulips, ideally the richer-coloured varieties, which seem to be less readily available to buy by the bunch. Daffodil bulbs are unbelievably good value, especially if you buy them a

Learn how to grow dahlias for cut flowers, in Rachel de Thame's video demonstration. Rachel recommends varieties and shares tips on soil preparation, planting, feeding and staking young plants.early summerMore advice on growing dahliasLift and store

Follow Joe Swift's video guide to planting, training and pruning passion flowers.summerMore about growing climbing plantsPlanting a clematis, with advice from Sarah RavenCreating a rustic trellisUsing plant supports

. Acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by placing trays outside during the day, and bringing them indoors at night.Plant seedlings into well prepared soil, about 20-25cm apart (check seed packet for spacings of larger flowers). Once planted, firm the soil

' as a general catch-all term for those plants that can be grown from dormant bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes. Among my regular favourites are begonias, dahlias, canna lilies and eucomis, the pineapple flower. Then there's galtonia, the summer hyacinth