A native of South Africa, in the Cape Province from Olifants River to Cape Town, amaryllis is a flowering bulb found growing on rocky hillsides, in scrub and near rivers.

A highly desirable plant, very hardy and vigorous, it has year round interest: from spring onwards the distinctive leaves are an attractive feature, drooping in glossy pairs, each with 3 long deep veins; from September there is a profusion of fragrant, showy flowers which last until the first frost.

There is no doubt that some of the near tropical weather we have been having recently has been beneficial to some plants in the Gardens. Planted in 2016, this Albizia julibrissin, also known as the silk tree, originating from Iran, east to China, has really flourished.

According to Campbell-Culver in 'The Origin of Plants', when this herbaceous evergreen plant was first brought to Britain in the 1550s, it was known as Spanish Bayonet, reflecting events at that time in its native America (across what are now the southern states).

Following one of the severest winters of recent years, with the arrival of Beast from the East and the Mini-beast, it is almost a miracle that this shrub has even survived, let alone flowered with such abundance.

This upright, mostly evergreen shrub is one of two species in the pea (Leguminosae) family, subfamily Papilionoideae.

One can be forgiven for passing by these small trees, as you exit the Gardens down the path towards Thompson Road, without a glance. Only at this time of year, and particularly on a warm spring day, will you wonder what the beautiful smell in the air is.

As March comes in like a lion, it is hard to believe that in a couple of weeks Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle' should be covered in pendulous racemes of pure white flowers, long lasting and noticeably earlier than the species.

It is most unusual to see these exotic looking plants in flower outside of a glasshouse environment, but the acacias were planted in Sheffield Botanical Gardens in the Spring of 2013 and have since thrived, so much so, that they are covered in bud and flowers to welcome the spring.

This shrub is a delight in mid-winter, skirting the path parallel to the main path leading up to the fountain, in the Award of Garden Merit Border.