Anyway, I bring him up because March is a notoriously windy month: one in which Aeolus will be busy with brisk south-westerlies and nippy north-easterlies. Some days will be balmy, but don’t be tempted to risk tender plants outside as it could all change in the blink of an eye. Be patient, spring is coming. Just not quite yet.

STAR OF THE MONTH

Ipheion ‘Rolf Fiedler’

For some weird reason I am only a recent convert to ipheions. Maybe I was previously put off by the unreasonable number of vowels in the name (or the flagrant flouting of the 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' rule), but whatever it was, I am now madly catching up and have planted hundreds of these delightful little bulbs wherever I can. Even now, as I gaze out of the office window, there is a line of terracotta bowls poised to unleash a honey-scented drum roll of delicate colour. They are equally charming in rockeries and gravel gardens.

GOLDEN GLOW

The daffodils are coming. I know there have been a few popping out in our gardens over the last few weeks but from now until April you should expect what the French call an embarras de richesses in the daffodil department. This is an old (but good) variety with slightly swept-back petals that look as if it has been re-enacting the prow scene in the film Titanic.

Narcissus 'Eaton Song'

As reliable and great for naturalising in grass as it is in containers. Tolerant of shade.

BLOSSOMING FORTH

Hedges of cherry plum were traditionally planted around orchards to protect the fruit trees from wind. The blossom is delightful (and quite early - it pops up as soon as there's a slight turn in the weather) and the young leaves have a touch of clarety richness. The flowers also provide early food for pollinators, especially honey bees.

Prunus cerasifera