Our favourite March plants

Chosen by Sue Kent, Gardeners' World presenter

My almond tree, covered in blossom, is a real March highlight for me, especially as the blossom was an unexpected bonus! I planted the tree because I love growing my own food and harvesting my own nuts is a step nearer self-sufficiency – and luckily squirrels don’t seem to like them.

• How to grow an almond tree

Chrysosplenium macrophyllum

Chosen by Nick Bailey, Gardeners' World presenter

I did a double take when I first encountered this bergenia-looking perennial, thanks to its unique green-white umbel-like flowers studded with pink stamens! Ideal for dappled shade, its large and lush leaves eventually form a ground-covering carpet.

Bellis daisies

Chosen by Sinead Fenton, Aweside Farm manager

I find myself breathing a large sigh of relief once the Bellis daisies begin springing to life after their winter dormancy. Their vibrant and fluffy pink, red and white flowers uplift the spirit after those long and grey winter days and I find myself with a new found spring in my step once they arrive.

Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête'

Chosen by Kevin Smith, head of content

Great value, easy to grow and full of spring cheer, this mini daff has been my go-to choice for as long as I can remember. I grow Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête' in plain terracotta pots and place them on the deck, right outside my kitchen window – the perfect way to enjoy them without having to venture into the cold!

• How to grow daffodils

Chaenomeles

Chosen by Catherine Mansley, digital editor

Flowering quinces provide such a welcome burst of colour, with their chunky pink flowers, held on bare stems. These are the ultimate unfussy plant, they will grow in almost any soil, in sun or partial shade, and you can train them into an informal hedge or to grow up a wall.

Holly

Chosen by Jaime Johnson, outdoor educator and blogger

Common holly is famous for its red berries in autumn and winter, but early spring is when I most enjoy this evergreen shrub, with its spiky elliptical leaves. Ilex aquifolium is slow growing and often outcompeted in hedgerows but in march; when deciduous plants are only just budding, the glossy leaves really stand out. In woodland settings, this is a great time of year to spot tiny saplings making the most of the limited tree canopy and burgeoning sunlight hours of spring.

• 10 holly trees to grow

Primula Pretty Polly

Chosen by Michael Perry, presenter and plant lover

A real step forward for plant breeding, and bred just outside Cambridge. A Polyanthus-style stem, topped with double flowers, in all sorts of chic colours. It makes a joyful punctuation to a cool season bedding scene, or why not give it pride of place in a pot on an outdoor table top.

• How to grow primulas

Clematis 'Apple Blossom'

Chosen by Emma Crawforth, horticultural editor

Almost out of nowhere, a blanket of pink-blushed flowers overwhelm my garden fence, saying "spring is here!" This evergreen climber is only frost-hardy, so grow it in a sunny, sheltered spot where you can enjoy its almond scented flowers.

• How to grow clematis

Leucojum aestivum

Chosen by Lily Middleton, content creator

I'll never forget the time when, early in my career, I mistook a snowflake for a snowdrop - never again! They tend to be bigger than snowdrops, with green markings on their flowers, and are a wonderful addition to the spring garden.

• How to plant snowflakes

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Chosen by Oliver Parsons, horticultural sub-editor

It's been a cold, wet winter, and it seems like spring may never happen again. Then it happens - you're walking to work through a park one morning and these beauties are there for you, shouting their little yellow heads off and cheering everyone up as they go. And it means it must be my birthday soon, too.

• Top 10 daffodils for your garden