Spring is upon us

Spring is upon us once again, a time to admire the vibrant blooms it gives us. As the final snowdrops fade, they give way to vibrant Crocus in a rainbow of colours and Daffodils, with their cheerful yellow trumpets, an iconic spring flower.

Flowering quince or Chaenomeles are a welcome sign and low maintenance shrub. Typically, colours are in shades of white, pink and red, although I am very tempted by a new variety out this year of Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Lemon Sorbet’ with lemon yellow flowers. These can be grown as a free-standing shrub or trained against a wall.

Pieris make wonderful spring flowering shrubs too. Being evergreen you have foliage that looks good year-round, but new growth in the spring is often tinged pink or red. The flowers are bell shaped in shades of white, pink or red. They do require an acid soil to thrive.

Exochorda macrantha ‘The Bride’ is a wash of white from April to May - covered in papery white flowers. An easy-care deciduous shrub which can be grown either in a border or trained against a wall.

Tulips earn their place in so many gardens and with such a vast range of colours to choose from, it can be difficult to select a variety or two. Tulipa ‘Aphrodite’ has a lovely bi-colouring of pink and red. The leaves are margined in white too. If you want reliability in your tulips blooming every year then opt for species tulips such as Tulipa clusiana ‘Lady Jane’.

These early blooms provide a vital source of nectar for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, who are emerging from their winter slumber.

So, as spring unfolds, take some time to appreciate the dazzling display of flowering plants. Whether you plant your own vibrant tapestry or simply admire the beauty in your local park or garden, these floral gems are a reminder of the joy and renewal that this season brings.