The genus Prunus gives us the first burst of blossom across the land. Wild Cherry, Bird Cherry and Blackthorn are native. So many were planted as hedging they dot the countryside in extant hedgerows and remnants of. In addition numerous species and cultivars have been introduced for cropping and purely ornamental purposes. Cherry blossom time in Britain doesn't compare with Japan, nonetheless there's a lot of it!

 

 Traditionally March is the month to prune Buddleja. In southern England during a warm winter I think February is fine. Buddleja can be cut back hard to the main stems which will put on at least a couple of metres of gangly growth over summer. Certainly the Buddlejas I have been pruning over the past week or two are well under way...

 

Winter silhouettes (Teasels)

 

 Liminal space.

 

 Narcissus 'February Gold' is one of the first daffodils to join the Snowdrops, Winter Aconites and Early Crocus. The very first of the year is probably 'Rijinveld's Early Sensation' which flowers in January or even at Christmas. This cultivar is credited to the noted breeder of narcissi Herbert Chapman circa 1943 so who, what or where was Rijnveld?? 

 

 Is there a more cheery sight in February than Crocus tommasinianus?

 

 Signs of spring: these rather ragged Bergenia cordifolia are already in flower. Spring is said to be our fastest warmest season and late winter is variable. Last year it was cold and frosty into March; at the moment late winter feels like early spring. 

 Late winter is a fairly safe bet for pruning roses. There are shrub roses, rambling roses, climbing roses, groundcover roses, miniature roses, tea and floribunda roses. The rose aficionado will no doubt be more exacting in their timing but I am not a specialist. 

 Standard advice for all rose pruning is to cut to just above a bud. I aim for a shapely shape overall but that's a moot point from rose to rose, particularly ones that are already tangled and overgrown. I note that the RHS advises: "Cut to the appropriate height, if a dormant bud isn't visible" which is basically saying cut to whatever height you think best! 

 Certainly an open shape with some 'air' is preferable in the case of a shrubby rose. Then again a climbing, rambling or groundcover rose is by nature a spreading shape. Cutting out dead and diseased stems, crossing and spindly stems and suckers at the base generally encourages vigour.

 

 Crocus tommasinianus flowers concurrently with the Snowdrops and Winter Aconites. Another bulb bought to these shores in ancient times, this species is native to Bulgaria, Hungary and the Balkans. Sometimes called the Early Crocus or the Woodland Crocus.

 The petals vary in hue from silvery violet through to plum purple. Like E. hyemalis the sun must be upon them to open wide; the stamen seem to glow dusted with specks of golden pollen. 

 They are braving the weather in my London garden but looking a bit battered by the incessant rain. Nonetheless they have to be tough to flower this early in the year and can be relied upon to come back year after year.   

 Tip: when you plant "Tommies" in the autumn make sure they are at least three or four inches down. Squirrels love to eat the dry bulbs! They seem to lose interest in snacking on them once the bulbs become established/moist.

 

 Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). Harbinger of summer sunshine, an ancient introduction from the continent. Grown in gardens they escaped and naturalised in the countryside here and there. 

 Available as a bulb in autumn which is probably the best way to start them off. I also see them sold in little pots at this time of year. London clay doesn't suit them; they favour chalky, well drained soil. I have a few in an old china sink in my front garden in London but I know of several patches in Herts where they run wild.

 E. hyemalis is a species of open deciduous woodland in its natural habitat. The flowers unfurl on sunny days when the dappled light filters through the bare branches.