Baskets and Blooms - best plants, best prices. Direct from the grower

It's still very cold but there's plenty to plant in the garden even so.

If the ground is not frozen or waterlogged then shrubs, trees, fruit bushes, perennials and hardy bedding can be planted now.

For your beds, borders and patio pots we suggest: Primroses, Polyanthus, Pansies Violas and Spring Rockery plants. These can all take frost and the worst the weather can come up with at this time of year.

Spring Rockery plants are unsung heroes, these humble plants give masses of colour just when we need it - in March and April. It's too early for Summer plants and the Daffs are fading. By Spring rockery we mean Aubrieta, Alyssum, Rock Candytuft, Dianthus and some lesser varieties like Sedums, and Helianthemums. Number one amongst these every year is Aubrieta - have you ever noticed the spelling is not how we say it - curious isn't it?

Aubrieta isn't always Purple, it's worth looking out for Pinks, Blues and also ones with variegated foliage.

If you missed out on planting bulbs in the Autumn don't panic, you can buy most varieties ready sprouted in pots. Favourite variety is Teta a Tete, a multiflora type of Narcissus - in other words, a mini daffodil. Tete a Tete is so versatile, use it in bedding schemes, window boxes, pots, even hanging baskets.

For fragrance indoors look out for Narcissus Bridal Crown and of course the ever popular Hayncinths.