In early spring, from March onwards, there's a pop of colour under the hedgerows, in gardens and on sunny banks. Spring flowers emerge, despite wind, rain, sleet and ice. It’s what they do. The harbingers of better weather will appear, come what may. They are suited to just about all conditions, with the exception of complete flooding, and will raise their merry little faces – providing some much-needed cheer.

Let's start with the Primula family. They are one of the nation's best-loved spring flowers and certainly deserve to be. But do you know the difference between primrose, cowslip, oxslip, primula and polyanthus?

Fill it with flowers!

There’s no shortage of blooms at this time of year, and with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show looming (commencing 21 May), focus is firmly on flowers in the garden during this wonderful season. But there are many people who look wistfully from the side-lines, wondering why their own gardens aren’t showing such splendour. So let’s take a look at the best flowering shrubs and perennials for a marvellous May. If you set yourself a target to plant one specimen each month, choosing something that flowers in that particular month, your garden would gradually fill with flowering interest throughout the year.

How could you not be excited by April and May in the garden...

when the earth beneath your feet is erupting into a growing frenzy? The garden is springing into glorious life! But as the spring-flowering bulbs give us their best burst of colour, there's something even better following behind. What are these masters of disguise, and which might you want to select for your own garden?

7 sensational reasons to love the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens to the public every year in May. This is possibly the world's most famous flower show and it will lead us wisely and soothingly towards the summer.  It's so easy to become enthused by all the ideas and perfection that's on display. But don't allow yourself to feel overwhelmed by the difference between your own plot and the photogenic masterpieces that you see on your TV. Or in the green, if you are lucky enough to visit in person.

April and May are the peak periods for tree blossom, during which time the majority of flowering, ornamental cherry trees will be covered in blousy blooms. But which is best? With so many to choose from, you might want to utilise the coveted Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit (AGM) to help you select. We’ve sorted ten of the best AGM ornamental cherries – one of which could come to a garden near you. Early spring is the perfect time to plant, but you can plant container-grown trees at any time of year, provided you are prepared to water them regularly.

The approach of winter is the very best time to turn your thoughts towards spring. In fact, there's no better season in which to plan your burst of garden joy. Everything you plant in autumn will be preparing to deliver something magical in the near future. During difficult times when people need a positive boost to spirits, the act of planting is excellent therapy.

Many plants that flower in spring come from bulbs planted in the autumn. But there are also some noteworthy perennials that are spring stars too. Which species do you think wins the popularity vote?

March often comes bowling in 'like a lion' and temperatures can be well down into minus figures. However, as soon as storms have abated, there's not a moment to spare. Here are six garden tasks to attend to as soon as possible -  because we all know that the month can end 'like a lamb' and soaring temperatures will result in a fantastic growth spurt outdoors.

Clematis are the vertical stars of the garden and there's good reason why you need to plant them as soon as spring is in the air! It's definitely Clematis time as soon as the days grow longer and the air feels a little warmer. 

These versatile climbers are bursting into growth and during early spring, most begin to show new shoots. They might not be immediately noticeable, but there's always a lot going on just beneath the soil in March and April. Why is early spring the best time to plant some of these spectacular climbing plants?

Don't let the light bulbs effect pass you by. Here's your Eureka moment to help stave off depression. 

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