Crocus are the real heralds of Spring. As soon as the days lengthen they start growing like mad. It has happened at our nursery that they have blossomed whilst a late February snow was falling creating a striking effect.
The earliest varieties are called Botanical Crocuses such as our snow Flowering mixture or Crocus chrysanthus. Larger flowering Crocus varieties such as Remembrance, Yellow Mammoth and others belong to the Crocus Vernus strain. They bloom generally during March depending upon the climate where you live.

Slugs love Delphiniums and Hosta plants. A circle of sharp grit around new shoots in early spring will prevent slugs from doing their worst without doing harm to the environment.

Potted plants such as Hosta's can be kept safe from slugs by placing the pots in an oversized saucer which has to be kept filled with water. Slugs cannot swim and therefore stay away from the plant in the pot.