Dancing in the breeze

FOR optimists it is the first snowdrops that best herald spring, and for romantics it’s the primrose.

Purists will look to the cherry trees, but for the majority nothing marks the change in season as categorically as the daffodil, and by now some excellent varieties are in bloom especially the memorable ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and the soft, milky, lemon mousse of narcissus ‘WP Milner’.

Their colouring I especially value, also the fact that they are neither tall in stature nor straggly of leaf. Reliable, rain resistant, stocky, and strong, these harbingers of spring are cheap to source and make superb fillers for awkward little corners just about anywhere. Needless to mention, this duo and many of the other miniatures are excellent in pots, troughs, and containers of all shapes and size. Be advised that they are not at their strongest if you attempt to naturalise them under grass unless you are prepared to leave the sward uncut at least until the end of May or later.