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, and has cement instead of lime mortar. But growing out from a few cracks near the top run of the brickwork is a wonderful crop of maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), and hart's-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium).Hart's-tongue is fairly common

).All these aspects considered, if I was only allowed to grow one hosta then I would have to choose Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'. It has big glaucous blue leaves and a chandelier of white flowers, looks magnificent in a pot and wonderful in a damp corner amongst ferns

to be admired, and I'd grow it for its leaves alone. But at this time of year it adds a new dimension by producing erupting clouds of dainty forget-me-not blue flowers. Gorgeous! My brunnera grows alongside ferns and foxgloves, and my oriental hellebore

are never just out of reach. Be warned however, that tiny trees do not produce a lot of fruit. Rootstock M27 will support a tree that will grow no bigger than about ten feet. For more information try the Brogdale Horticultural Trust.If you're in a very

is the fiddlehead - these are the emerging fronds of ferns such as Osmunda regalis or Matteucia struthiopteris. Popular in America, slightly toxic if undercooked and, according to my wife (whose taste I trust absolutely), absolutely disgusting.The mange tout gets a