March is an exciting time in the garden with so much promise of what is to come. On warmer days so many plants are bursting with energy, as their new shoots and leaves are produced in shades of bright green. Many plants burst into flower as the sun becomes stronger.
Euphorbias are a varied group of plants and Euphorbia myrsinites is one of the lowest-growing species that looks fantastic grown over a low wall, or in a rockery. It is an evergreen perennial with semi prostrate stems that are clothed in spirally arranged, succulent like, blue-grey leaves and in mid spring it bears bright yellow-greenish flowers that last for many weeks. As well as its spring colour, this species makes an excellent foliage plant and the leaves look particularly stunning clothed in frost.
Brunnera is a very useful ground cover plant that is tolerant of tough growing conditions. 'Jack Frost' is a fine cultivar due to its spectacular foliage; its leaves are silver with dark green veins running through. In mid spring small stems emerge from the base of the plant, producing sprays of mid-blue forget-me-not type flowers in mid blue. Brunnera prefers to be grown in a shady site.
The earliest Camellia begin flowering in January but they don’t reach their peak until March or April when they are draped in flowers. Camellia japonica 'Apollo' forms a spreading, upright shrub with glossy dark green leaves. In spring it bears an abundance of showy, miniature, semi-double rose red flowers with yellow stamens. Camellia prefer semi shade. Avoid planting them in an east-facing border as early morning sun will scorch the flowers if covered in frost.
Chionodoxa forbesii is a small spring flowering plant looking most effective as large carpets or informal drifts underneath shrubs and trees. It bears erect, bright green leaves; as these unfurl it also bears stunning star- shaped, bright blue flowers with white centres. Chionodoxa is easy to grow and prefers well-drained soil in full sun.
Daffodils are the quintessential flower of March. Narcissus 'Thalia' bears two milk-white flowers per stem and these have petals that are slightly twisted and reflexed, producing a pronounced central cup, resembling a small star. Looking best in large drifts, it will have maximum impact in borders or naturalised in grass. Narcissus are easy to grow but prefer moderately fertile soil, that is well drained but moist.
Bamboos are great plants for gardens for all-year interest. They provide structure, movement and sound and the canes of many of many cultivars add colour and texture. This species is a clump-forming bamboo with arching, slender green canes that turn lustrous, glossy black in their second or third year. Bamboos are easy to grow, preferring a moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade.
Pulmonarias are a great perennial to use for early spring colour. Due to their low growing habit they suit being planted at the front of a border where they will gradually form a large clump, providing effective groundcover. They prefer semi shade and moisture-retentive soil, and can look effective planted beneath shrubs such as dogwoods and willows. Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign' has dark green foliage with large, deep blue flowers that emerge in mid spring.