The estimable Woottens Plants has a special offer  of Iris Sibirica ‘Tropic Night’ of 5 large bareroot plants for £9.90 - a discount of 40% off their normal price of £3.30 a plant. Flowering June-July, the dark purple flowers are surrounded by sheathes of grassy leaves. They are remarkably unfussy about soil aspect once established. These plants will be sent out at a special discount carriage rate of £2.50.

Crocus has decided to get into the traditional bedding plant business and is offering a fantastic selection of plug plants with some generous discounts depending on the quantities you buy.  There are a range of sizes, depending on the plants standard Plugs, Large Plugs, Super Ready Plant Plugs and Jumbo Plant Plugs. www.crocus.co.uk

• In fine weather get on with clearing the borders and spread home made compost.
• Keep an eye out for self-sown seedlings of favourite plants, dig them up carefully and pot them up to grow on to plant elsewhere in the garden or give away as presents.
• When it isn’t frosty, mulch around the base of fruit trees with a good layer of compost or well-rotted manure.
• Cut or buy hazel and birch pea sticks.

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Thompson & Morgan’s Buddleja ‘Buzz’™ was recently named the Best New Plant Variety. It is the first Buddleja that has been specifically bred to be a dwarf variety and is ideal for growing in patio pots and containers. Despite its compact nature, Buddleja ‘Buzz’ still boasts all the qualities it’s larger cousins are famous for, such as the huge sprays of flowers known for attracting butterflies and wildlife into the garden. The compact plants grow to just one metre high and will be smothered in flowers all summer long. Plants are available in two colours – lavender and magenta. Buy one plant for £9.99 and they will send you another free or if you buy two for just £17.99, they will send you another two free. Click to buy Buddleja Buzz

Recent weather conditions may have altered the opening times for Coton Manor Garden near Guilsborough  in Northamptonshire. Usually it is open daily between 11am-4pm until Sunday 28th February for their Snowdrop & Hellebore Days. It is suggested you check their website to ensure that the garden is open by visiting www.cotonmanor.co.uk . This iconic ten-acre garden occupies a hillside position extending down from the 17th century manor house, constructed of mellow Northamptonshire stone. It is landscaped on different levels, with distinctive smaller gardens providing variety and interest throughout the season, all enhanced by flowing streams, fountains and ponds. If you can’t get to Coton Manor Garden between these dates it opens properly for the 2010 season on April 1st and runs until 2nd October when the garden is open Tuesday-Saturday 12-5.30pm, also Sundays in April & May and Bank Holiday weekends. Beyond the confines of the garden, there is a magical five acre bluebell wood and a colourful wildflower meadow at its best in June and July. There’s an extensive nursery, a garden shop and light lunches or teas are available from the Stableyard Café. The Garden School at Coton Manor runs some of the best garden courses available (early booking is often essential).