The sap is rising, the birds are scurrying about gathering twigs, the bees are waking up, the buds are bursting, the boy rabbits are looking at the girl rabbits in that particular way and spring is definitely upon us.

April is all about love, so I dedicate this month's column to all things romantic and in the words of the Bellamy Brothers, “Just let your love flow like a mountain stream, And let your love grow with the smallest of dreams, It's the season".

STAR OF THE MONTH

Myosotis sylvatica (forget-me-not)

Very possibly the most overtly romantic flower we have, not for any botanical reason, but simply because of the name. In even the youngest mind it inspires stories of love in all its many forms. A pressed forget-me-not in an old book conjures up a vision of enduring love, or a posy of flowers pushed through the window of a departing train, Victorian lovers banned from marriage by strict parents (hurriedly exchanging kisses and nosegays in an alley), a couple walking hand in hand in spring sunshine and pausing to pick the flowers. You get the picture...

Easy to grow - in most gardens it self seeds like anything. Pull out plants as they fade and become mildewy. Height x Spread 30cm x 30cm

ORANGE CRUSH