Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants of Hampshire (www.hardys-plants.co.uk) included Helleborus x ericsmithii 'Bob's Best' on their display. This first-rate selection has green-tinged pale pink flowers that begin to appear early in the year and may last until May. The evergreen pewter foliage acts as an effective foil.
Charming Primula 'Dark Rosaleen' was shown by W&S Lockyer of Surrey. This unusual primrose has purple-red foliage, above which rise stems carrying dark red flowers, each of which is attractively striped with pink. Divide it regularly to keep it perennial.
Hosta 'White Feather' is a compact but distinctive perennial, producing spear shaped foliage that on emerging in spring is almost pure white. As the season progresses the leaves develop green streaks becoming green by summer, when lavender flowers appear. Shown by W&S Lockyer of Surrey.
Primula (Wanda Group) 'Goldilocks' with its flowers of brightest golden-yellow, held against dark purple foliage made a striking addition to the display by W&S Lockyer of Surrey. Plants will be perennial if they are regularly divided and replanted.
Tender but beautiful southern African heather Erica cerinthoides was shown by Trewidden Nursery of Cornwall (www.trewidden-online.co.uk). The plant produces beautiful red bell shaped flowers which give it the common name of fire heath. Plants need a frost free pot in a cool glasshouse over winter, with good air circulation, and must be planted in well drained acidic compost.
Unusual Eremophila maculata 'Peaches and Cream' hails from Australia and was shown by the Old Walled Garden of Warwickshire (www.oldwalledgarden.com). It is a tender plant best grown in a conservatory or glasshouse outside of the mildest areas, at least overwinter. Needs sun and well drained compost.
New Lonicera crassifolia 'Little Honey' was shown by Primrose Bank of Yorkshire (www.primrosebank.co.uk). This unusual compact ground covering honeysuckle forms a low mat of evergreen foliage, which in spring bears yellowish flowers that may be followed by blue berries. The leaves become bronze-tinged in winter.
Renowned Dutch bulb grower and breeder Jan Pennings provided a superb display of hyacinths, grown to the highest standards which included historic cultivars as well as a couple of newly developed selections which have yet to be named.