Here at DJA plants we have been growing spring flowering plants in our greenhouse over the winter months and finally we have a greenhouse full of colour and fragrance.

I’m going to be honest and say that I have never really planted spring flowers in my garden before. However as we start to consider the plight of our native bumble bees it has become more and more important that we ensure that our gardens have flowers for as long as possible. With our seasons become more and more erratic its not unusual to find that a sunny winters day has awoken a queen bee from her resting place and she is out and about foraging for something to revive her energy. What can I do to help? I hear you say! Well its really quite simple and you don’t even need a garden to do it. Purchase some locally grown native plants from a small grower such as ourselves and ensure that the plants have not been exposed to any nasty neonicotinoid pesticides which will continue to live in the plant and its pollen long after it has been used. then pot up a planter or your garden beds with these plants. any nectar and pollen loving insects will soon start to visit and once they know where to go for food they will soon set up home nearby.

Here at DJA plants we use beneficial predator insects to control the pests that might harm our plants and if we really have no choice we may use neem oil to remove anything that is particularly bothersome but on the whole we live with nature and tolerate snails and slugs (to a degree) knowing that all of the wildlife we invite into our garden will help to see it off.

I think what has surprised me the most about some of these spring flowers is the fragrance. Our native Primula vulgaris (Primrose Everlast), Viola cornuta and Iris Reticulata were really pungent. I noticed the fragrance as soon as I walked into the greenhouse and especially when I bought them into the house to photograph them. new varieties are great but some of the more traditional plants are superb just as they are.

If you want to see how we made our very own planter using some of the spring plants we have available in March click on the link below.

If you want to give wildlife in your garden a helping hand why not take a look at our plants for wildlife section and see if we have anything in season.