SOW GROW SHOW

What to plant. thismonth s@reen fingered tasks, and displays to enjoy. Its gardéming from the ground up

- ANDRÉA CHILDS

In bloom

PRIMULA Cultivated primulas come in a huge range of colours, but perhaps none as pretty as the pale yellow of the wildflowers, which love a grassy bank to grow on.

WHITE FORSYTHIA This snowy version of the usual yellow shrub has almond-scented blossom and looks beautiful trained against a wall.

STACHYURUS PRAECOX Yellow bell-shaped flowers bloom like dangling earrings, bejewelling the bare branches of this small tree.

3 OF THE BEST PLANTS TO SOW, SPLIT & START

Kevin Martin, head gardener at Glyndebourne opera house in East Sussex, says February is the time to think about your planting scheme for the year. There will be lots of general seed sowing, as well as essential work to support the healthy growth of existing plants in the garden,' he advises.

1 HIBISCUS SYRIACUS (ROSE OF SHARON) This hibiscus produces large trumpet-shaped flowers. The hardy perennial type we use here at Glyndebourne is much easier to care for than the tropical varieties and well worth trying at home in a sunny, sheltered spot.