Nature in close up

Though January 1 marks the start of our calendar year, spring feels like the time when things really get going, as forests awaken, flowers bloom, migrating birds (swallows, swifts, warblers…) return f

As the long nights shorten, Mounton House garden quietly emerges from winter with delicate sprinklings of white narcissi, Scilla siberica and crocuses through the lawns. Daphnes fill the air with frag

Find out which early species to watch for, how to make your patch more butterfly-friendly and where to record your sightings for science

This is the month of horticultural happiness, and with everything looking fresh, green and lush, even the burgeoning weeds become – briefly – delightful additions to the garden. Selfheal sprouts gaily

For me, spring is the most exciting part of the year, as it’s full of promise and there’s something about early flowering plants that really lifts the spirits. I love it when I’m driving in the countr

I like unusual words and there are a couple that seem appropriate for this time of year. March, we know, is a fickle beast, where the weather can flicker from T-shirt to thermals in the course of a da