THE wallflowers planted last autumn have survived the winter and come into flower this month.

Bought in clumps with their roots wrapped in newspaper, the usual way with these spring bedders, they looked very sorry for themselves in October, but as the weeks went on they were forgotten about and left to their own devices.

Now they have developed into strong, shrubby multi-stemmed plants, topped with buds and open flowers that look as if they will last for weeks.

The blooms are in various shades of pink, lilac and yellow, all sweetly scented and 30cm/12ins or so high.

Those planted in an open bed have done best, while the few placed in a much smaller and drier spot have grown and come into flower, but have far fewer stems, despite well-drained conditions usually being the recommended site.

I wonder if in extremely poor dry soil it would be better to grow them in pots through the winter, transplanting in early spring when healthy, bushy plants have formed. Something to try next year.

As well as the popular biennial wallflowers described above, there is also a group of evergreen perennials that belong to the same family, Erysimum, although the biennials are still often but mistakenly labelled as Cheiranthus.

Probably the most popular and easy to find of the perennial species is Bowles Mauve, a vigorous, shrubby plant with narrow grey-green foliage and clusters of mauve flowers from April through to late summer and into autumn, should the weather remain mild.

Although perennial, it is best as a young plant since it becomes large, woody and out of shape within a few years. Cuttings taken in spring just before the mother plant reaches this point can be grown on as a replacements the following year.

Bedding and perennial wallflowers both prefer to have a sunny site and soil that is well drained, especially in winter.

While perennial species are propagated by cuttings, the biennials need to be grown from seed sown outdoors in May or June in a nursery bed; or in trays and grown on through the summer, before being put out into their flowering positions in October.

Weekend catch-up

THERE are several jobs to fit in as April draws to a close and May begins.

Plant supports need to be in place before plants get too tall or dense to do anything with. Tall species such as delphiniums and lax specimens such as some of the michaelmas daisies really benefit from subtle support, even though it looks pretty awful for a while. The rapid growth of these plants soon hides the twigs or canes.

For homemade plant supports, I use prunings from a bamboo or red-stemmed cornus, both of which can be cut back at this time of year.

Bamboo doesn't especially need to be pruned, but mine is in a container so each spring I take out the oldest of the stems, leaving space for the new ones to develop.

The cornus is treated more harshly and cut back to within 30cm or so of the ground. New shoots will soon appear to provide fresh new leaves in summer and bright stems through the winter.

While sorting out the beds, it is a good idea to remove the spent flowers from daffodils. Leave the foliage in place until it dies back because it will feed the bulb and the embryo flower that will already be developing for next year's blooms.

Open gardens

Tomorrow

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Ness Hall, Nunnington, turn off the B1257 Malton-Helmsley road at Slingsby (signed Kirkbymoorside), three miles to Ness. Large walled garden with mixed and herbaceous borders and orchard with shrubs and climbing roses. Some reconstruction in progress. Featured in Country Life magazine. Open 2pm to 5pm. Admission £3.50 adult, accompanied children free. Also open on Wednesday.

Rye Hill, Station Road, Helmsley town centre. Plantswoman's garden divided into interlinking compartments each planted in a different style: cottage, formal and woodland. and intense planting creating interest and colour all year round. A range of tender species is kept in a conservatory and there are ponds and architectural features as well as new projects each year. Open 2pm to 5pm. Admission £2.50 adult, accompanied children free. Also open on Wednesday.

Wednesday

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Hunmanby Grange, Wold Newton, 12.5 miles south east of Scarborough on the road from Burton Fleming to Fordon. Three-acre garden created from an exposed field on top of the Yorkshire Wolds. Hedges and fencing provide shelter for a series of gardens planted for year round interest and seasonal highlights. Adjacent nursery open. Open 1p to 5pm. Admission £2.50 adult, accompanied children free.

Londesborough Cross, Shiptonthorpe, off the A1079 York-Hull road. Former railways goods yard transformed over 21 years into a garden with large borders, ponds, bog area, scree and rock gardens, pergola and arches planted with clematis and hostas. There is also a woodland garden planted with a large collection of ferns, as well as other plants for shade such as trillium and meconopsis. Open 1pm to 4pm. Admission £3 adult, accompanied children free.

Ness Hall, Nunnington, see details above.

Rye Hill, Helmsley, see details above.

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. A postbag edition with John Cushnie, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and chairman Eric Robson.