Scent among us

AMONG the elegant daffodils and dainty crocus, the fat heads of hyacinth have appeared heavy with blooms and filling the garden with scent.

We have only three in a sunny spot by the house, but in the morning and evening and especially after a warm day their scent is very strong. I prefer to have them outside rather than as forced bulbs indoors, as the perfume can be very thick in the still air inside.

The most popular hyacinths for indoors and outdoors are the Dutch hybrids, Hyacinthus orientalis, which come in a range of colours from white and cream to deep wine red and dark purple.

They are reasonably easy to buy from nurseries, garden centres and market stalls, although named varieties may have to be sought from specialist suppliers.

Hyacinths are nowhere near as popular in the spring garden as daffodils and tulips, which is a shame since they have a long flowering period and given the correct conditions can remain in the soil from year to year without having to be lifted.

One reason could be their cost. The bulbs are usually sold as single items or in small packets, unlike daffodils which can be bought cheaply by the dozen or more. However, while daffodils look best grown in swaths or large clumps, hyacinths can be used in much smaller numbers. Put in small groups at the front of a sunny border, for example, they will give an exotic impact as early as March through April and into early May, depending on the variety.

Alternatively, they can be used in spring containers either as a single specimen display, using five or so in each pot, or mixed with other spring flowering bulbs or spring bedding such as forget-me-nots, pansies, violas and primulas.

Planting hyacinths

Planting: Plant the bulbs in September or October about 15cm/6ins deep.

Soil: Well drained.

Site: Open site in sun or partial shade.

Hardiness: Frost hardy.

National collection

THE national collection of hyacinth is kept in the walled garden at Ripley Castle, near Knaresborough, where between 40 and 60 different varieties can be seen. According to the website, they are at their best from mid-April to early May.

The castle gardens also include a kitchen garden planted with rare vegetables, a park walk, 1,000-year old oak trees, herbaceous borders and a lakeside path.

They are open every day apart from Christmas Day, from 9am to 5pm (closing earlier in winter). Admission for the garden is £4.50 for adults, £4 for OAPs and £3 for children (five to 16). There are also guided tours around the castle at an additional cost. Further details on the web site www.ripleycastle.co.uk

Plant sale

THERE will be a plant sale at 84 Albion Avenue, off Beckfield Lane in Acomb, York, in aid of St Leonard's Hospice today, from 10am to 6pm.

There will be a range of plants available including perennial shrubs, pond plants and bog plants.

Weekend catch-up...

IT IS pruning time in the garden and even in our small space I managed to do enough to fill the car for a trip to the tip in one afternoon's work.

The plants to concentrate on at the moment are buddleias and elders, both fast growers that can easily get out of hand if left to their own devices.

For a compact shrub, cut all stems back to the ground to restrict the growth and encourage the production of new shoots. This will also prevent the formation of a thick trunk and woody branches.

This drastic pruning is usually done in February or early March, but the stems can still be taken right back this month making the cuts just above a strong healthy new shoot.

For a larger shrub, take the oldest wood back as far as possible and reduce the remaining stems by about a half, again cutting them just above new growth.

Open gardens

Tomorrow
In aid of the National Gardens SchemeAcorn Cottage, 50 Church Street, Boston Spa, one mile south east of Wetherby. Small, established alpine garden filled with plants collected over three generations of the same family. The garden has been rearranged to give ease of access and maintenance, while retaining the character of the collection. Open 11am to 5pm. Admission £3 adult, accompanied children free. Also open on Monday.

Wednesday
In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Londesborough Cross, Shiptonthorpe, off the A1079 York-Hull road. Former railway goods yard transformed over 21 years into a garden with large herbaceous borders, bog area, ponds, screes, rock garden, clematis entwined pergola and arches and a collection of hostas. The woodland garden is planted with hardy ferns and shade loving plants like meconopsis and trillium. Open 1pm to 4pm. Admission £3 adult, children free.

Gardening TV and radio

Tomorrow
8am, Radio Humberside, The Great Outdoors.

9am, Radio Leeds, Gardening with Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

1pm, Radio York, Nigel Harrison.

2pm, R4, Gardeners' Question Time. In a special programme celebrating the 60th anniversary of the programme, Eric Robson meets Prince Charles in the garden of Highgrove House. Here they discuss organic gardening, chemical weed-killers, hostas and EU seed legislation. Meanwhile, Anne Swithinbank, John Cushnie and Bob Flowerdew answer questions from members of Garden Organic at Ryton near Coventry. Gardening weather forecast at 2.25pm.

Monday
8.30pm, BBC2, Return to Lullingstone Castle. Trouble continues to dog Tom as he tries to make the garden pay. This week, there's problems with the polytunnel which is essential for overwintering exotic plants.

Friday
8pm, BBC2, Christine's Garden. The intrepid gardener tackles an overgrown hedge 60ft long and 12ft high armed only with a pair of secateurs.

8.30pm, BBC2, Gardeners' World. Monty starts a green garden in which he can only use green flowers and the widest range of green foliage he can.