Leeks are a versatile vegetable that take up very little room and can be planted in the ornamental garden where they fit in well, growing among bearded irises and groups of gladioli.
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Delightful daffys
When large clumps of daffodils fail to produce many flowers it is generally a sign that the bulbs need lifting, separating and replanting.
This is usually done every three years.
They can be lifted anytime after the flowers have died down with early summer being preferable.
If you have daffodils that have budded up but not flowered it could be an indication that they are not receiving enough sun.
If this is the case lift and replant in a sunnier spot when flowers have died down.
A support network
Scarlet runner beans are not only heavy croppers of large, juicy pods but also make an impressive feature when grown on a trellis or wire support to form a wall of vivid red flowers.
They can also be grown in large containers - just make a tee-pee with three or four stakes then plant three seeds per cane.
Later select and keep the strongest one.
In the open garden, plant seeds five centimetres deep and 15 centimetres apart in compost-rich soil in a sunny position.
Nip out the top of each plant when the required height is reached.
Trimming down
Prune lilacs by cutting back by about one-third of the current season's growth as soon as flowering has finished.
This tidy up will keep these charming, fragrant shrubs in a manageable shape.
Buddlejas can also be pruned after they finish flowering to at least half their height.
A decent meal
Camellias have shallow root systems that can dry out during the hot summer months so after flowering has finished, feed with a camellia-specific fertiliser.
After this apply a mulch to a depth of about five to eight centimetres and your camellia will be ready to produce another dazzling display next year.
Scent of the season
One of the joys of spring is the fragrance of boronias wafting throughout the garden.
There are many varieties including Boronia megastigma, the brown boronia, with its subtle lemon fragrance, being very popular.
Give a light prune after flowering and feed with a slow-release native plant food.
Grace and beauty
Delphiniums are a florist's dream.
With their tall, regal stems of individual florets, mostly semi-double, that come in a varied range of pastel shades as well as white and varying depths of blue and mauve flowers, they can add lightness or a dramatic element to floral arrangements, not to mention a garden.
