Garden Answers March 2023

GLIMMERS OF SPRING Explore sparkling hyacinths (p32); Sue and Geoff Woodward’s canalside garden is pretty as a picture (p62) It’s safe to say spring has arrived. My garden is full of hyacinths in March, at their glossy, gorgeously scented best. Sue Fisher sings the praises of these underrated spring stalwarts on p32, and recommends some of her favourites. Personally, I’m a sucker for enjoying them forced and indoors, and I always plant them out into the garden aftewards. They come back well the following year, so as a result of doing this several years in a row, my garden is now packed with their cheery colour. Daffodils are the other sight I look forward to this month. They brighten up gardens no end, as you can see for yourself in…

“...feeding my bulbs and rushing to finish the pruning!” Naomi Slade shares trees and shrubs with beautiful flowers, p14 “…adding pot-grown hyacinths and other bulbs for extra colour and scent in my patio pots.” Sue Fisher on hyacinths, p32 “…sowing annuals across a border that may be disturbed by building works!” Helen Billiald conjures a bed of magical gems, p44 “…preparing the ground for sowing my cornfield colour explosion.” Adrian Thomas on creating wildflower beds, p48 “…lacerating my fingers and forearms while attempting to prune my roses!” Dan Masoliver calls a truce with pests, p114 “…busy mulching the veggie plot and sowing far too much in the greenhouse.” Gill Lockhart designs the magazine…

1All yellow narcissi ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’ (right; H35cm/ 14in, S15cm/6in), and ‘Sweetness’ (H40cm/16in S10cm/4in) make a glowing golden heart to the display 2Pale lemony ‘Jack Snipe’ (right; H25cm/10in, S10cm/4in) and ‘Topolino’ (H20cm/8in, S10cm/4in) daffodils create calming undertones 3Orange-centred ‘Jetfire’ adds a warmer accent, and has pretty swept-back petals. H20cm/8in S10cm/4in EARLY RISERS Pots of bright daffodils are enhanced with violas and primroses in lemony shades. Pussy willow buds and a sprinkling of forsythia flowers in the background complete the sunny scene…

BOXING BEAUTY Patio project Dainty blue bulbs are a treasured part of the spring season in the garden and this arrangement packed into a vintage metal box provides an eye-catching display for a sheltered outdoor table. It would also work well situated beside a doorway. At the heart of the display are hardy pale blue Muscari azureum (H&S10cm/4in) and Scilla siberica with white-centred starry blue flowers bearing violet stripes (H20cm/8in S5cm/2in). Sprinkled around them are pansy ‘Matrix Purple and White’ (H&S23cm/9in), mauve and white pansy ‘Adonis’ (H&S20cm /8in) and tiny scented Viola odorata (H20cm/ 8in S30cm/12in). Trailing deciduous climber Muehlenbeckia complexa (H3m/10ft S2m/ 6½ft) weaves the arrangement together with its tiny green leaves on dark purple wiry stems.…

The National Trust’s yearly celebration of the blossom season is back, with thousands expected to capture the joy of seeing trees and hedgerows burst into bloom. Emulating the ancient Japanese tradition of Hanami, which celebrates blossom as the first sign of spring, the charity is encouraging everyone to enjoy the fleeting beauty of blossom, using the #BlossomWatch hashtag. The National Trust hopes that the joyful sight of shared blossom images on social media will lift spirits, encouraging us all to celebrate nature together. From March into April fruit trees start to bloom with apples, plums, pears and damsons bearing dainty white, pink-tinged flowers followed by the famous rose-pink petals of the cherry tree. Closing the season with its creamy white flower is hawthorn, or May tree. Blossom trees can be…

Blue star ceramic cane toppers £22.50 Set of 5 made by Polarstar Pottery folksy.com British meadow seed storage tin £24.95 and gardener’s gloves £15.95 Both by Burgon & Ball and endorsed by the RHS annabeljames.co.uk Orla Kiely wellies £80 Regatta women’s Orla Floral Hi wellies regatta.com Opinel Le Secateur gardening pruner £50 French-crafted Opinel secateurs farrar-tanner.co.uk Metal watering can £24.99 4.5L by Kent & Stowe webbsdirect.co.uk National Trust kneeler £21.99 By Burgon & Ball, made with memory foam crocus.co.uk Odds and sods for garden bods £12.95 Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk…