There is an old jug full of greenery on the kitchen table at the moment – there because we had a young couple in for B&B over the New Year and I thought that some greenery would brighten up the kitchen while the days are so dark. I rushed round the garden in the rain and picked a few sprigs of Viburnum tinus, some variegated box and some Vinca major – the white form – in bloom at the end of December. The scent of the viburnum has been intoxicating and it reminded me to at least think about ordering sweet pea seeds for this year.

Surely, the sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, must be one of the world’s most famous flowers

Surely, the sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, must be one of the world’s most famous flowers

  • words:

Veg Out

Jo Arnell unearths all you need to know about planting veg this May May is a fantastic month for growing vegetables. The frosts should have passed (but do watch the weather forecast just in case!), the soil is warm, the...

A rose by any other name

Jo Arnell explores the magic of hellebores, the flowering stars of the early spring garden In the early days of the spring when not much blooms, we are clutching at straws – and I’ll agree that anything that might resemble...

Frozen Scents

Jo Arnell brings pockets of joy to the winter garden with her recommendations for fine fragrances The bleak end of winter can bring the coldest weather, the gloomiest skies and the sinking feeling that spring is never coming back. This...