Best of friends

Among the forget-me-nots and euphorbias and general burgeoning spring growth in the garden grows one of my favourite early plants, Brunnera macrophylla 'Dawson's White'.

A herbaceous perennial, this plant dies back at the end of summer and remains dormant until late winter when leaves gradually begin to break through the surface of the soil and unfurl. They are small to begin with, forming a neat clump of white-edged grey-green leaves through which grow thin stems that will carry spring flowers. The rich blue blooms are very similar to those of the forget-me-not and, in fact, they are related since both belong to the Boraginaceae family.

As the flowers fade the foliage begin to increase in size forming a mound of heart-shaped leaves around 45cm/18ins across which will last throughout the summer.

This plant needs a sheltered spot in light shade where the leaves won't get scorched by the sun.

The variegated part of the leaf is delicate and will easily turn brown in sun or wind and will also dry out in dry conditions so the soil needs to be fertile and moist without becoming waterlogged in winter. These requirements seem rather exacting but it is an excellent ground-cover plant, which can be grown with other shade lovers such as Lamium.

Other members of the Brunnera family include 'Hadspen Cream' which has light-green leaves edged with creamy yellow. Although still best in light shade this variety is hardier than 'Dawson's White' and less susceptible to leaf damage. 'Jack Frost' has silvery leaves edged in dark green while the leaves of 'Langtrees' are bordered with silver spots. Plain leaved types include 'Betty Bowring' (sometimes named 'Alba) which has pure white rather than blue flowers.

Garden news

Spring show: The Ancient Society of York Florists spring show will be held tomorrow in the Conference Hall at Askham Bryan College from 11am-3.30pm admission £1.

Included at the show will be displays of daffodils and tulips, auriculas and primulas, bonsaii and alpines with members of the National Auricula and Primula Society exhibiting top quality plants.

Plants will be on sale at the show and also from Askham Bryan College which will be holding its own plant sale during the morning.

There is ample free parking at the college and light refreshments will be on sale.

Copmanthorpe garden

competition: The Copmanthorpe Coronation Challenge Cup was first presented in 1937 by the village's first woman councillor Mrs T S Riley for the Best Council House Garden.

Commemorating the coronation of King George VI, the competition was then held annually for 32 years until 1968, after which the cup disappeared.

Thirty four years later, in 2001, it was found dusty and forgotten in the loft of a house in Top Lane and was returned to parish council chairman Mike Urwin who was instrumental in reintroducing the competition.

The competition will be running again this year and last year's winner Jackie Milner wrote to In The Garden to encourage people from Copmanthorpe to enter their gardens.

Mrs Milner said she entered on the spur of the moment despite her garden having been recently extended and not being in any way 'finished' - and won.

With this experience she is keen to get more people involved in the competition and not be put off by thinking it is too serious for them.

Entry forms for the competition are available from the Post Office and newsagents in Copmanthorpe. There will also be one in the May edition of the village newsletter.

The several categories include best kept garden (for the cup), best front or back garden, best children's garden (two groups), best individual plants person and best vegetable garden or allotment.

Winners will receive garden vouchers as prizes, which will be presented at the Horticultural Show on July 16.

Garden talk: Askham Bryan College (ABC) Gardening Club will hold a talk on Tuesday in the Conference Hall at Askham Bryan College.

Starting at 7.30pm, Rose Horspool from the National Trust will be discussing Gardening History of the 20th Century.

Tickets at the door are free to ABC Gardening Club members and £4 to non members.

Open gardens

Sunday, April 17

In aid of British Red Cross

Settrington House, Settrington, four miles south of Malton, turn off the A64 at Scagglethorpe or off the B1248 at North Grimston. Large grounds with daffodils, woodland and lakeside walks, classical tempietto, colonnade, millennium fountain, walled kitchen garden, bog garden and newly-planted anniversary copse.

Open 2-5pm. Admission, £3 adult, accompanied children free.

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Hotham Hall, Hotham, 15 miles west of Hull near North Cave. Mature parkland setting with established gardens, Victorian pond, mixed borders, spring bulbs and lake with bridge over to a newly-planted island arboretum.

Open 1-4pm. Admission £2.50 adult, accompanied children free.

Wednesday, April 20

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

Hunmanby Grange, Wold Newton, 12.5miles south east of Scarborough between Wold Newton and Hunmanby. Three-acre garden created from an exposed field with hedges and fences providing shelter for a series of gardens planted for year-round interest and seasonal highlights.

Open 1-5pm. Admission £2.50.

Londesborough Cross, Shiptonthorpe, five miles from Market Weighton off the A1079 York-Hull road. Former railway goods yard transformed into a garden with ponds, bog garden, islands beds, herbaceous borders, rock garden and new woodland garden with a large collection of hardy ferns, many rare.

Open 1-4pm. Admission £2.50 adult, accompanied children free.

Updated: 08:51 Saturday, April 16, 2005