Fresh, white flowers and arresting foliage feature among expert plantsman Keith Wiley\u2019s choices this month along with a hybrid form of one of his favourite plants. Photographs Jason Ingram <\/p>

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The best flowers for the garden in April<\/h2><\/div><\/div>
Clematis<\/em> \u2018Lunar lass\u2019<\/h3>
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Clematis ‘Lunar Lass’ – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
An evergreen clematis<\/a> scrambling to only about 60cm in height but covering itself in scented flowers in the spring, perfect for an April flower. As with many of these New Zealand hybrids the leaves look tough and leathery but the plants actually need a sheltered spot and are usually considered to be conservatory plants,<\/a> or grown as patio plants brought in for the winter. I grow mine in a very well-drained raised bed under cover but open on all sides where it scrambles through low-growing daphnes<\/a>. Height<\/strong> 60cm. Origin<\/strong> New Zealand. Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained soil in a sheltered site, ideally south- or west-facing; full sun. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H2, USDA 7a-9b. Season of interest<\/strong> Late winter and spring for flowers.<\/p>
Here’s more on clematis montana<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
Epimedium grandiflorum<\/em> \u2018Nanum\u2019<\/h3>
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Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Nanum’ – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
One of the smallest, if not the smallest, of epimediums, reaching only 15cm in height when in flower, with a later flush of leaves growing a little higher. The combination of a dome of dapper leaflets each margined with a border of purple red, beneath sprays of large, pure-white flowers<\/a> opening from pink-flushed stems and buds, is a jewel-like joy of spring. Not surprisingly such beauty bears close scrutiny so this plant looks especially good when potted and placed at eye level. Height<\/strong> 20cm. Origin<\/strong> Japan. Conditions<\/strong> Open, well-drained soil; shade to part shade. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H5, USDA 4a-8b. Season of interest<\/strong> an April flower that’s best for spring mainly, summer foliage.<\/p>
Adiantum pedatum<\/em> \u2018Japonicum\u2019<\/h3>
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Adiantum aleuticum ‘Japonicum’ – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A hardy maidenhair fern<\/a> with the most amazing burnished copper-coloured young foliage. This colouration gradually fades to green over a period of three to four weeks. In the best forms, which are worth seeking out for an April plant, it unfurls its croziers a really rich colour but this can vary in its intensity from season to season, depending perhaps on weather conditions or light levels. Makes a lovely clump of foliage throughout the summer and is one of my favourite smaller ferns. Height<\/strong> 45cm. Origin<\/strong> Japan. Conditions<\/strong> Best in a good woodland soil; part shade. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H5, USDA 6a-8b. Season of interest<\/strong> Best in spring, but still good in summer.<\/p>
Magnolia laevifolia<\/em> \u2018Gail\u2019s Favourite\u2019<\/h3>
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Magnolia laevifolia ‘Gail’s Favourite’ – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This evergreen<\/a> species, previously known as Michelia yunnanensis<\/em>, has always been described as only suitable for the very mildest climates. With me it has survived virtually unscathed in the open garden for the past ten years. Raised in New Zealand, this cultivar is one of the best selections, with flower buds and young growth covered in rich golden-brown indumentum that persists on the undersides of the leaves. The scented flowers<\/a> are perfect April flowers and produced later than most of the deciduous magnolias<\/a>. Height<\/strong> 2-3m. Origin<\/strong> Garden origin from New Zealand (species from Yunnan). Conditions<\/strong> Acidic soil; full sun, sheltered from strong winds. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H4. Season of interest<\/strong> Spring for flowers.<\/p>
What about yellow magnolias?<\/a><\/p>
Paeonia clusii<\/em><\/h3>
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Paeonia clusii – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A species herbaceous peony<\/a> with class stamped all over it. A relatively low-growing plant with dissected leaves and pristine white, large, scented flowers of beautiful form, flowering for several weeks. In the wild it grows at high altitudes in Crete, so is temperature hardy in the UK, but as it comes into growth very early it is vulnerable to spring frosts. It also prefers well-drained conditions so I grow it in a stony raised bed<\/a> in an open-sided airy polytunnel where it gets better every year. I love it as an April flower. Height<\/strong> 40-50cm. Origin<\/strong> Crete. Conditions Well-drained soil; sheltered, sunny site. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H3 (because of early growth). Season of interest<\/strong> Spring for flowers; spring and summer for foliage<\/a>.<\/p>
Here’s more on growing peonies<\/a><\/p>
Uvularia sessilifolia<\/em> \u2018Variegata\u2019<\/h3>
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Uvularia caroliniana variegata – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A rare woodlander that should be better known. As an April plant it forms a gently spreading clump of attractive leaves narrowly edged in cream, which gives the plant a creamy-grey appearance that contrasts well with the dark stems and pendent cream flowers. This does spread but not frighteningly so, and only reaching a height of about 30cm, it is delicate and refined enough to coexist peacefully with many other woodlanders, such as trilliums<\/a> and erythroniums<\/a>, unlike the similar but distinctly more thuggish and larger, Disporum sessile<\/em> \u2018Variegatum\u2019, which will quickly swamp its neighbours. Height<\/strong> 30-40cm. Origin<\/strong> Canada and USA. Conditions<\/strong> Woodlander for part shade. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b. Season of interest<\/strong> Spring and summer.<\/p>
More of the loveliest variegated plants to grow<\/a><\/p>
Acer palmatum<\/em> \u2018Corallinum\u2019<\/h3>
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Acer palmatum ‘Corallinum’ – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Japanese maples are such good year-round plants. Nearly all have graceful winter form with the delicate tracery of their naked branches and are renowned for their autumn colour, but it is for the spring colour of the new foliage that I value them. For this there is none more spectacular than \u2018Corallinum\u2019, which for nearly six weeks literally puts even the massed flowering of the evergreen azaleas in the shade. Sadly, there is no autumn colour worth mentioning. AGM. Height<\/strong> 2m. Origin<\/strong> Garden, bred at Hillier\u2019s Nursery, in 1910 (species Japan). Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained soil; full sun to part shade. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H6, USDA 5b-9b. Season of interest<\/strong> Spring to early summer for rich colour.<\/p>
Erythronium<\/em> \u2018Joanna\u2019<\/h3>
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Erythronium \u2018Joanna\u2019 – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
April is the main erythronium flowering month in the UK. If you want your erythronium to produce a good clump of flowers, I\u2019d recommend one of the hybrids and \u2018Joanna\u2019 is a really good choice. It is a cross between a pink-flowered species and a yellow one that serendipity has managed to merge into a winning combination that borders on apricot in colour, while maintaining a species charm in the flower form. Robust in growth and very free-flowering, it is an excellent erythronium for general planting. Height<\/strong> 40cm in flower. Origin<\/strong> Garden origin. An Erythronium revolutum<\/em> x Erythronium tuolumnense<\/em> cross bred by John Amand and named for his daughter (species North America). Conditions<\/strong> Fertile soil in part shade Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H4, USDA 5a-9b. Season of interest<\/strong> Spring.<\/p>
Read our piece on how to care for erythroniums<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
Iris<\/em> \u2018Mrs Nate Rudolph\u2019<\/h3>
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Iris ‘Mrs Nate Rudolph’ – \u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
To be honest, I\u2019m a little ambiguous when it comes to these dwarf bearded iris cultivars. When they\u2019re in flower I adore them, but then my passion starts to wain as the season goes on and their foliage becomes just that little bit tatty. I\u2019m sure this says more about my inability to use them correctly and in the future I do have plans to be a little more sympathetic to their growth patterns when choosing where I grow them. However, in the meantime I will just have to luxuriate in their colours and the classic simplicity of their April flower form. You will, however, need to watch out for slugs that will damage flowers. Height<\/strong> 15-20cm. Origin<\/strong> Garden origin. Conditions<\/strong> Well-drained soil; sunny spot. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b. Season of interest<\/strong> Spring.<\/p>
Looking for more irises? Here’s our piece on the Benton irises<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
Rhododendron augustinii<\/em> \u2018Lanarth Green Eye\u2019<\/h3>
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/figure>
As this is a species that flowers in April, it is one that is vulnerable to spring frosts although it will tolerate a degree or two of frost without flower damage. If you have the space to accomodate it then it really is one of the glories of the woodland garden. It\u2019s a species that can vary widely in colour from pale purple to rose purple in the wild, to near blues in cultivation. Over the years I have grown many colour forms, but I still most cherish this paler incarnation selected from a plant growing in the Cornish garden of its name. Height<\/strong> 2-3m. Origin<\/strong> Garden origin (species China). Conditions<\/strong> Acidic soil; partial shade. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H4, USDA 5a-9b. Season of interest<\/strong> Spring.<\/p>
Don’t miss our round up of lovely spring flowers <\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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The best flowers for the garden in April<\/h2><\/div><\/div>