GARDEN notes

Spring is in the air

- CHRIS MORLEY

GREY BEGONE

Chase away gloomy winter skies with Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) ‘Beni-chidori’. Deep pink cups of almond-scented flowers appear on bare branches in late February to early March, and hold fast for up to four weeks. With a maximum height of 2.5m, this petite tree is comfortable in a container. Keep it somewhere sunny and sheltered to protect the glorious early blossoms from frost.

FANTASTIC FERN