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grow it in a border close to the house, where I can admire it in full bloom from my kitchen window. It has rich yellow cup-shaped blooms that fade to pale yellow, a colour rarely found in old roses. The upright habit of 'Graham Thomas' means it stands

' would look good in March, and I couldn't resist the star-shaped blooms of Narcissus 'February Gold'. I think I've just about got it covered.Daffodils will nearly always flower in their first year, but they need to be planted quite deeply - at least three

of goodness). My favourite plant at this time of year is a magnificent Parthenocissus that covers an old building nearby.I like to go there every few days to watch the leaves change from deep green to pink and yellow and deep dark red. It is a truly

evening and when I got out of the car the first thing I noticed was scent. A wild romantic perfume floating through the heavy warm air. Although the planting in my garden is predominantly herbaceous, I will always have room for the begetter

the dog violet is a harbinger of spring. Right now, small clusters of heart-shaped leaves are taking on a renewed vigour while other plants in the garden die down. I can almost see the little flashes of deep purple that will dot the darkest corners of my

, in the churchyard at Fortinghall, Perthshire, is estimated to be around 2000 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in Europe.Yew makes a fine hedge, which is how I plan to use my plants. It grows well on old wood, so you can keep your hedge in shape

be pruned away, and badly positioned and congested shoots can be cut out to shape the bush. Last year's stems need shortening to prevent new growth developing higher and higher up the bush, carrying flowers on increasingly leggy stems.And then there

wigwam. New shoots caught onto the supports, twining their way to the top, and as summer progressed a succession of trumpet-shaped flowers opened on each. Although they weren't as floriferous as some bedding plants they certainly were different.Of course

, they will not thrive in sodden soils - decent drainage is essential. As with any other plant, get them off to a good start by incorporating plenty of organic material, such as home-made compost. Oriental poppies will appreciate a small amount of fertiliser, but don

crab apple, hawthorn and potentilla, seem to be irresistible to our buzzing friends, as are the flowers of fennel, angelica and cow parsley, and sedums.Tubular-shaped flowers, such as foxgloves, snapdragons, penstemons and heathers, are also all