Having provided us with invaluable spring colour, japanese quince and forsysthia will need a prune straight after they have finished flowering.

The japanese quince, or chaenomeles japonica is guaranteed to brighten any spot in your garden.

With bright flame coloured flowers it reaches a height of 100cm x 200cm.

It is able to tolerate virtually any soil and situation so will happily lighten up a shady wall.

It also has thorny stems so is excellent if security is needed.

If that wasn’t all enough, it also bears quinces that can be made into jelly!

If yellow is your thing, forsythia is the one for you with its cheery vivid yellow flowers.

An easy to grow, trouble free shrub growing up to 2 metres it can be planted and virtually neglected! It is fully hardy and

can also tolerate any aspect but will flower best for you in a sunny spot.

If you wish to keep it in shape, prune straight after flowering.

Both these shrubs are great for use as a hedge.

Bluebell Battles

Fighting the corner for the native Bluebell against the heavyweight Spanish bluebell in the other corner here is a quick comparison so you know you are supporting the right contender:

The flowers of the native English bluebell are narrower and they droop from one side of the stem.

The anthers, or pollen-producing parts, are creamy white and the leaves are narrow.

The flowers of the Spanish bluebell are much wider than the native they are generally all around the stem and are more upright.

The anthers are pale to dark blue and the leaves are wider.

Although both forms are very pretty I would advise against choosing the Spanish variety because of it’s ability to hybridise with the native form and potentially oust it.