As well as dancing around the Maypole, there are signs that Spring has properly sprung in May. Nature’s re-animation is taking place in full effect now. New growth with trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants continuing to sprout both leaf and flower, the sound of birds in our gardens and the days getting noticeably longer, Winter is almost a distant memory. It's a great time of year with everything looking and smelling so fantastic. It’s easy to get lost in life outside as the days lengthen. So why not go and do just that...

Anthriscus Ravesnwiung is a highly decorative, sumptuous form of our native cow parsley. It displays stunning, dark brown, almost purple foliage, an abundance of large umbels with beautiful, lacy, white, pink tinged blooms that seem to froth as they are held high during summer.

It is perfect for wildlife gardens as it is much loved by pollinators who will come visiting for a nectar-rich feast. It sits well in wildflower meadows, or cottage gardens but is equally impressive grown in more formal or modern planting schemes, especially as a companion to other perennials or grasses, where the stems will weave and mingle.

Anthriscus Ravenswing creates an airy, long-lasting delicate feel to floral arrangements while the dark foliage creates an elegant and stunning contrast. It is sometimes known as 'Queen Anne's Lace', along with several other umbellous plants, because the English Monarch was an expert lace maker. Alternatively, some think the plant is named after St Anna, the mother of the virgin Mary.

It prefers to be grown in moist, well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. It is a fully hardy perennial, down to around -15 C, which will die back in the middle of winter, ready to sprout again in spring. The plants reach 2 to 3 feet tall in flower (about 1 foot tall in leaf). They can tolerate full sun but typically prefer morning sun and afternoon shade or light all-day shade.

This biennial or short-lived perennial will flower in its second summer. You can cut the stems back to maintain the foliage-only look or let them self-sow for new plants,. However, I have seen ‘Ravenswing’ reseed heavily in gardens where it is not supervised - it may be advised to deadhead after flowering to avoid this. It comes true from seed but be selective and choose the darkest of the seedlings which can be easily moved or potted on.

Anthriscus sylvestris 'Ravenswing' makes a perfect plant for a wild garden or meadow, and an effective companion to ornamental grasses. I would suggest combining it with Calamagrostis Karl Foerster or Stipa gigantea, both ornamental grasses that flower early and will provide the perfect backdrop and airy companion for the delicate flowers that Anthriscus provide.

Jobs to be doing this month include: Ornamental Garden:
• This month is a fast period of growth. Late frosts may catch early blooms and soft growth – remove any damaged growth.
• Spray roses with rose clear or similar.
• Weed
• Continue to remove spent flowers of spring bulbs but not the foliage until it has withered and yellowed.
• Chelsea-chop time – If the Nepeta and Sedums are looking leggy then cutback by a third to encourage compact growth that will not collapse later in the season. This can be applied to the lavender, echinops, echinacea, aster, helenium and salvia too if felt necessary.
• Trim Rosemary, Thyme and Sage if not done in April.
• Cutback withered daffodil or tulip stems once they have turned yellow.
• Trim grass edges of borders regularly to keep neat and tidy.
• Prune spring flowering clematis
• Stake and support herbaceous perennials if necessary.
• If daffs gave a poor show lift and divide bulbs and replant.
• Continue deadheading spring bulbs.
• Start hardening off tender plants for planting out.

Vegetable Garden:
• Harvest Asparagus
• Direct sow French beans and sweet corn if weather is warm enough.
• Start earthing up potatoes.
• Harvest early crops such as radish / lettuce etc.
• Refrain from planting tomatoes too early as they suffer if exposed to temperatures below 12 degrees.
• Sow pumpkins, cucumbers, courgettes, squashes under cover now and outdoors towards the end of the month.