Snowdrop splash

GARDENERS in the far south need no reminding that the widespread forms of early-flowering Cherry are an exquisite uplift often in early February and sometimes (in mild winters), a little sooner.

Outside the hot air of urban society, rural growers have to wait a little longer for flowers on some of the best (and easiest) varieties — the pink ‘Accolade’, upright ‘Umeniko’ and the elegant and restrained ‘Korean Hill’.

Of course out in the countryside, many are still enjoying yet another flowering on the supreme specimen flowering tree for any garden, the classic Winter Cherry, Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis. Underneath its inexhaustible clouds of flowers, it is possible to lay the foundation for an even better spectacle next year.