Spring is suddenly with us and with it a few days without rain have allowed the primroses to finally lift their heads. Since finishing the cutback in the last week of February, the stirring which we could then feel but barely see has sprung. New life, where just a fortnight ago we were looking at bare earth and imagining what is now vital and clear. The patterns and groupings in plan view, yet to be three dimensional, as you see them when working out a planting plan and having to imagine the volumes and interconnectedness.

In this brief window – which in my opinion is the perfect three weeks of the planting season here – I go back into the garden to assess where I need to make changes. Are the sanguisorba in need of splitting? They will resent it if you try to do this in the autumn. Can I get away with one more season without dividing the Iris sibirica? They also prefer division in the spring, but this needs to be done right now – preferably last week – before the shoots rush away further and are easily damaged. A monkish bald patch in the centre of the plant lets you know that it is time to replenish the vigour at the heart as it grows away in each direction. With the garden maturing this task alone is a good day’s work, so we pace ourselves, taking one or two groups a year and leaving some to provide a show whilst the new divisions catch up and can cover in relay for splits in future seasons. I note the plants that demand little or no attention. The amsonia, peonies and hemerocallis that rarely need division. These are the members of the community that allow you to give attention to those that need it most.