Spring is one of the most spectacular times of the year for flowers, says Gardeners’ World’s Frances Tophill, and she’s named five glorious blooms that need to be in every garden
Frances has shared her five favourite flowers(Image: (Image: ITV))
Spring is very nearly here, and garden enthusiasts are already beginning to see the first hints of reawakening in their flower beds.
For those gardeners considering a trip to the local garden centre this month in hope of adding some glorious colour to their outdoor spaces, Gardeners’ World expert Frances Tophill has revealed her top five flowers – and in some cases trees – that are essential for any garden.
On the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast, she expressed her deep love for this season, declaring that “Spring is one of the most amazing times of the year for flowers.”
Pasqueflowers are uncommon in the wild these days(Image: (Image: Getty))Pasque flower
One of the standouts on Frances’s list of exceptional spring blossoms is the Pasque flower. Now a rarity in the wild, it bursts into bloom around Easter, earning its moniker as “the anemone of Passiontide.”
Frances enthuses: “It’s really delicate, really beautiful, and the fluffiness and airiness of the foliage just makes it really special.”
This perennial creates a tidy cluster of soft, downy leaves and thrives in full sunlight within well-drained earth, reports the Express.
Suitable for rockeries and gravel gardens, the Pasque flower may be scarce in natural settings but is easily found within garden centres.
But a word of caution when planting: the foliage harbours a chemical which might induce mild stomach upset upon ingestion. It’s advisable to wear gloves while handling and ensure your hands are thoroughly washed afterwards.
Magnolias are ‘magnificent trees’ Frances says(Image: (Image: Getty))Magnolias
A quintessential favourite, magnolias revel in abundant sunshine and prosper in moist soil. “There are summer flowering magnolias,” says Frances, “but the spring flowering ones are really, really special.”
While one should handle Pasque flowers with care, Frances advises that you can be a little more adventurous with magnolias: “You can also eat the petals. They have a really gingery flavour that makes them even more interesting.”
The Allium puts on a glorious display every spring(Image: (Image: Getty))Alliums
Alliums, cousins to onions, leeks, and garlic, ornamental alliums inject an exuberant burst of colour in the spring and early summer. And if you’re keen on bringing their allure indoors, Frances points out that their cut blooms maintain their charm well in a vase.
“Spring is really synonymous for bulbs in the garden. There are so many amazing bulbs, but I think my favourite is the allium,” Frances enthuses. She adds: “There’s something about the bawdy bright, perfectly spherical flower that forms on alliums that is really brazen and beautiful – I love it!”
Frances says Spring is her favourite time of year (Image: (Image: ITV))Snake’s head fritillary
Another species, the snake’s head fritillary, which was introduced to the UK around the late 16th Century, is notably versatile. This botanical wonder flourishes in various conditions, from well-drained soil under full sun to moisture-retentive ground amidst dappled shade.
“They tend to grow really beautifully in a meadow-like setting,” reveals Frances. She suggests: “So in grass, if you have a lawn that you let get tall in the spring, then a snakes head fritillary …or two, or 50 will make it even more beautiful.”
Cherry blossom is an absolute icon of springtime(Image: (Image: Getty))Cherry blossom
The cherry blossom trails off as another bloom worthy of mention during this floral exposition.
Frances has chosen a classic symbol of spring for her final plant selection. This splendid tree flourishes when situated in a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and it requires regular watering.
She describes the spectacle of cherry blossom as truly enchanting during the spring season: “When the blossom is coming out, you can get double forms, which look like a blancmange, or you can get single flowers, which are much more delicate, and they’re the ones that will often go on to produce the actual cherries and be the best ones for pollinators.”
The cherry tree holds a graceful stature within any garden throughout the year, but it’s in spring when it truly dazzles: “When they are adorned with blossom,” Frances states, “it really elevates them and it makes spring so magical.”