We have had what seems to have been an exceptionally wet and stormy January. But I am fortunate that I have been able to divide my time between squelching around gardens with working in the dry on the drawing board. Plus I have had a week away, which although it was work, still felt a bit like a holiday.

On my return I was delighted to be greeted by a host of early flowers - snowdrops, aconites, crocus and Iris reticulata.

I can never quite remember from one year to the next where they all are until they actually appear. Especially the snowdrops and aconites. (The latter definitely move!)

This year it seems that I had unknowingly placed one of the stainless steel spheres that I used at the Shrewsbury Flower Show, plonk in the middle of a clump of snowdrops. As a garden designer I should congratulate myself on such an artistic placing, but I will concede and give Mother Nature the credit.

However, it is good to confirm that we work well together.