Unlike the balmy warmth of Maryland so poetically described by Jim McKenney, the British Isles are still in the grip of a protracted winter, with heavy snowfall across much of the north and west. I was staying in Herefordshire on Saturday night and woke up to find a white blanket and heavy snow falling over the garden. There was no chance of seeing the snowdrops there and a cautious retreat had to be made. Here the snowdrops are still forming white carpets, and many are at their very peak; yet others are still in bud. Only the earliest of daffodils are in flower, and the hellebores are still mostly in bud, or with just the first flowers expanded. I have seen no Magnolia in flower at all, and as for goldfish and waterlily leaves... John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567 Spring open days 2006 Mothering Sunday 26 March Easter weekend 15-16-17 April May Day Bank Holiday Plant Sale 1 May Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/