THE shade-loving woodland plants that grow in a cool spot under our holly tree have all but disappeared now, their place being taken over by later flowering plants. These seem rather thuggish after the delicate beauty of Hacquetia and dark-leafed Viola labradorica, especially Aster macrophyllus, which is running amock in our garden this spring.

Fortunately, the large heart-shaped leaves are easy to recognise and it is a good daisy-flowered plant for growing in awkward dry shady spots, but I can see it will become a problem if not treated harshly.

The beautiful Anemone nemerosa ‘Allenii’, above, is a gorgeous form of the wild wood anemone that makes a neat clump of deeply cut leaves above which nod the most exquisite soft lavender blue flowers.

These need a little dappled sun in which to open, revealing masses of daintily quivering rich yellow stamen that perfectly complement the colour of the surrounding petals.

Anemone nemrosa is easy to grow as long as it is given the semi-shaded position it loves. It spreads by underground rhizomes that slowly grow unseen during summer and autumn, the plant being revealed in spring with a mass of flowers and pretty leaves.

‘Allenii’ described above a lovely example, but there are other equally attractive forms including Anemone nemerosa ‘Robinsoniana’ with light lavender flowers and ‘Viridiflora’ with unusual double green blooms.

Whites include double-flowered ‘Alba Plena’ and single-flowered ‘Lady Doneraile’, while ‘Cedric’s Pink’ is, as its name suggests, a lovely clear pink.

Weekend catch-up THERE is still time to sow hardy annuals. These will flower later than those germinated in March, but they will grow quickly once they come through and can be kept outside, handy if space is short indoors.

Nasturtium, larkspur and love-in-the-mist can all be sown directly into their flowering places, although I usually start them off in pots or seed trays.

Small seedlings can get lost in a crowded bed and fare better if put among bigger plants once they themselves are bigger.

Sow the seed thinly in trays of seed compost and cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Place in a sheltered spot and prick out once large enough to handle.

Nursery event

BRUNSWICK Organic Nursery and craft workshop is holding its annual fundraising event at St. Crux Parish Hall at the bottom of Shambles in York on Wednesday from 10am until 3.30pm. On offer will be lots of plants as well as bric-a-brac and a café selling homemade food and drinks.

Brunswick is a local charity running a productive workplace for adults with learning difficulties. It has developed its site in Bishopthorpe with the help of many local organisations and produces a wide range of quality products.

The plants on offer will include bedding plants as well as summer-flowering herbaceous perennials and herbs. Brunswick Nursery is well known for the quality of its plants and it increasing range of more unusual specimens and is well worth a visit.

Tomato mad WYEVALE Garden Centre, in Upper Poppleton, just outside of York, is hosting a tomato growing weekend today and tomorrow to herald the start of British Tomato Week on Monday.

There will be displays of a range of different tomato plants together with products and equipment for growing them.

Staff will also give planting demonstrations throughout the weekend including how to plant and grow tomatoes in hanging baskets and grow-bags. Phone Wyevale on 01904 795920 for further details.

Plant fair

FLOWER Power Fairs are holding a plant fair at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, tomorrow from 10am-4pm. The fair will be beside the visitor centre overlooking the park and house and will include a wide range of plants for sale, some new, some rare and many old favourites.

The Bilsdale band will play between 2pm and 4pm and there will be an admission charge.

Gardening TV and Radio

Tomorrow.

8am, BBC Radio Humberside, Gardening Phone-in. With Blair Jacobs and Doug Stewart, telephone number 01482 225 959.

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

2pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. John Cushnie, Anne Swithinbank, Matthew Wilson and chairman Peter Gibbs answer questions from Groombridge Horticultural Society and Garden Club. The gardening weather forecast is at 2.40pm. (Repeated from Friday).

Friday.

3pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. Matthew Biggs, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and chairman Eric Robson help members of Binfield Garden Club, near Reading, with their horticultural problems. The programme also looks at the effectiveness of green roofs and the gardening weather forecast is at 3.40pm.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Tomorrow, 6pm, BBC1; Monday, noon, BBC1; Tuesday to Friday, 12.30pm, BBC1; Wednesday and Friday, 7.30pm, BBC1; Monday to Friday, 8pm, BBC2.

Open gardens

Tomorrow.

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme Blackbird Cottage, Scampston, five miles east of Malton. Third-acre garden with speciality alpines, shrub and herbaceous border and new gravel garden. Plants for sale by Rona Ashworth. Open 10am-5pm. Admission £2.50.

Fir Trees Cottage, Sinnington, one mile south of Stokesley. One-acre garden with mixed borders, rockeries, spring bulbs, hosta collection, ornamental pond and Pelargonium Exhibition. Open 10am-4pm. Admission £3. Also open today.

Hillbark, Church Lane, Bardsey, four miles south west of Wetherby. One-acre south-facing garden on three levels, with hidden corners and surprise views, evergreens and perennials, ponds and marginal planting. Open 11am-5pm. Admission £3.

Jacksons Wold, Sherburn, turn off the A64 in Sherburn on to Weaverthorpe road then take the right fork to Helperthorpe. Two-acre garden with mixed borders, woodland paths, lime avenue with wild flower meadow, vegetable garden and Victorian greenhouse. Open 1pm-5pm. Admission £3.

Orchard House, Appleton Roebuck, eight miles south west of York. One-acre garden with brick, cobble and grass paths winding through colourful plants to an old oak revolving summerhouse, sunken garden and grotto. Open 11am-5pm. Admission £3.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate. Many acres of garden with streamside planting, woodland, alpines, scented and kitchen gardens, plant trials and Diarmuid Gavin’s Gardens Through Time from the BBC television series. Open 9.30am-5pm. Admission £7 adult, £2.50 child.

Saltmarsh Hall, Saltmarsh, six miles east of Goole. Ten-acre garden with large lawns, old trees, large herbaceous border, pond and walled gardens, and courtyards with shrubs, climbers and perennials. Open noon to 5pm. Admission £3.50.

Stillingfleet Lodge, Stewart Lane, Stillingfleet, six miles south of York. Large garden with colour-themed areas around the house, wild flower meadow, double 55yard herbaceous borders, modern rill garden and adjacent nursery. Open 1.30pm-5pm. Admission £4 adult, 50p child.