What do you like most about gardening? Do you look for peace in the garden – especially, perhaps, when your life is going through a difficult patch? Is the garden a place to sit quietly with a book? Or is it the continuity of gardening that appeals?

Here are some garden comments that might inspire you to start gardening:

My sister told me she bought the most delightful little potted violet from a small plant stall. The salesman called it 'Freckles', she said. Her painter’s eye appreciated the delicate colours - a pale violet, scattered with tiny orange-pink freckles barely discernible at first glance.

Did you know there is also a clematis and a lettuce called ‘Freckles’? – the lettuce is spotted like a trout.

Bee favourites

A cup of tea made from a handful of lemon balm leaves is said to have wonderful effects on the memory and is supposed to chase away melancholy. I have masses of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) in my garden. Did you know that this lemon-scented, perennial herb has been cultivated in gardens for over 2000 years? It was grown by early bee-keepers. Propagation is by seed, division of plants, or stem cuttings. This hardy plant will grow in sun or half shade.

Borage (Borago officinalis) also attracts bees. The blue flowers have traditionally been used for floating on drinks. Weary art lovers at The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in June are served Pimms with borage floral decoration. Unwins have a borage variety ‘Summer Skies’ which includes a white-flowering form.

Herbs are easy to grow from seed. However, for those who prefer to start with germinated seed, they are also readily available as young plants in packs or pots for growing on the windowsill. An unusual one to try is coriander (easy to grow and excellent for flavouring curries).

Young vegetable plants

For those who do not have the time to sow seeds, young vegetable plants raised by experts can be a way of making the garden or allotment look attractive. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and leeks are some of the young vegetable plants sent out by Unwins, at the right time for transplanting in mid to late May.

Time to arrange summer display

It’s time to put together arrangements of plants in pots, tubs and hanging baskets. Take care to watch out for late frosts until the end of May. Temporary covers could be necessary if frost is announced. Impatiens (busy lizzies) lobelia, pelargonium (geraniums) and petunias are popular - the bright colours last until autumn. They can all be purchased as maxiplugs, or as flowering-size plants.

Start bulbs, corms and tubers

Begonias and dahlias thrive in patio pots and containers. And gladioli can also be planted in containers but they are better in borders. If you are searching for an unusual plant, Tropaeolum speciosum ‘Ken Aslett’ has nasturtium foliage and rather startling yellow-orange flowers. The plant can be persuaded to climb from a sunny patio tub.

Summer-flowering ‘Fragrant Oriental Lilies’ from Thompson & Morgan’s Young Plants Catalogue (delivery February –June), or Unwins ‘Patio Lily Collection’ and ‘Tall Oriental Lilies’, are a labour-saving way of bringing colour and fragrance to patio pots.

Many people use alstroemeria for floral decoration at summer wedding receptions. Once they are established, these floriferous plants should continue in flower from June until October. Many new varieties in a wide range of flower colours are available. Click on shopping to see alstroemeria plants.