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Sown now in the greenhouse, dahlia seeds will produce young plants ready to plant outdoors in late May to flower this year. Seed companies sell a range of quick-growing bedding strains that are suitable for growing this way. You can also use

. 'Ballerina' - soaring orange T. 'Negrita' - beetroot coloured T. 'Queen of the Night' - dark and truly gorgeous T. 'Anthraceit' - flowers like the backsides of turkeys (but prettier) T. tarda - early and peppery scentedI could go on for ever but it would

to the serenity of the place.So I was very pleased to see a pair of goldfinches this morning. I'm not a birdwatcher, but even I know the unmistakable red face, white sideburns and yellow wing flash of these pretty creatures. They were not in my 'wildlife haven

. During the mock up I realised the high temperatures had changed the colour spectrum of the display. Both the chives and sages had burst into full flower, so we had to lose the wode, as its yellow flowers looked strange against the sudden mass of purple

it is unlucky in that its flowering coincides with the flowering of daffodils and by that time I have had enough of yellow.I adore tulips. The photograph above, by the way, is of a species of tulip called tarda and is there, not because it is ugly but because

colour, from frilly-knicker-pink and daffodil yellow, to navy blue ruffs and watery marmalade. Some seek to combine all the colours of an ice-cream shop in one flower - which I think is a bit of an insult to a noble stalwart. Personally, I prefer

Why is it that dandelions are regarded as weeds? They're amazingly beautiful, have a strong and reliable flower colour, they're hardy, vigorous plants and they're even edible.I love dandelions, which is great as the warm, wet weather of the past two

. Pale custard-yellow flowers, blackish stems and great leaves.Sanguisorba canadensis - I'm a complete sucker for a sanguisorba. This was one of the first I grew and is an absolute star. Spires of sparkly clean white flowers that stand beautifully all

With 23 days to go until we build our display at the Chelsea Flower Show, the first buds of pot marigolds, Calendula officinalis, are showing. Their timing couldn't have been more perfect.The marigolds will be in full flower in time for the show

, about 45cm tall, with tiny flowers on long stems as delicate as the legs of a newborn giraffe. It goes beautifully with grasses.Unsurprisingly, pinks don't come in blue, orange or yellow - although it's possible to dye the flowers by leaving a cut stalk