1. Pale lemon primroses and polyanthus in paint-box colours herald in spring joyfully.

2. Because polyanthus are more difficult to germinate, start them off in seed trays or pots in a greenhouse or cold frame.

3. This...Polyanthus...is a noble trusser.

4. My L... has seen a polyanthus blow in December ... me friendly wall has sheltered it from the biting wind.

5. But the winter container's secret weapon, planted in layers under showy pansies or polyanthus, is the spring-flowering bulb.

6. Starting this month and continuing through April, you can pick any of the polyanthus family - primroses or cowslips - and add them to your salads or rice.

7. That's why they used them to breed so many of the showy polyanthus you see in classic spring bedding schemes all through our parks and urban landscapes.