Season’s greetings: are you aware of this telltale sign that spring has sprung?

When the blossom trees burst into bloom, it’s a sure sign that spring is on the way. Which of these might be perfect for your home garden?

See this and know spring is on its way.

When the blossom trees burst into bloom, it’s a sure sign that spring is on the way. Timing depends on location (and in the tropics doesn’t apply at all) but seeing those pink or white petals unfurl always lifts the spirits, even if it’s still cold. The downside is how brief the pretty display can be.

Many of the classic spring blossom trees are in the genus Prunus, which includes plums, peaches, cherries, apricots and almonds, both ornamental and fruiting. Most are small trees, well suited to home gardens. Of the ornamentals, the first to bloom is Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata) with crimson, bell-like flowers. It’s followed by the ornamental plums (P. cerasifera and P. x blireana) that are mostly pale pink with purplish foliage. Ornamental peaches (P. persica) have double flowers in white, pink or crimson; ‘Versicolour’ has all colours, plus striped blooms, on the one tree. Ornamental cherry blossoms are a symbol of Japan, where there are hundreds of varieties bred from Prunus serrulata. The double flowers of many cultivars such as ‘Kanzan’ can carpet the ground; they’re at their best in cold climates.

Heaven scent – Australian-bred lavenders

Lavenders are classic plants for cottage and Mediterranean gardens, or just to add aromatic foliage and pretty flowers to any garden. They’re also waterwise and bee attracting.

The Australian-bred Lavinnova Lace Collection of lavenders are early flowering varieties that form tight domes of colour from winter into spring.

‘Lilac Lace’ has a rich purple buds, lilac petal wings and grey-green foliage.

‘Pink Lace’ disaplys a profusion of pink, wavy petal wings set against dark buds and green foliage.

'Lilac Lace'.

'Pink Lace'.

‘Winter Lace’ has grey foliage and amethyst buds below lilac petal wings.

‘Violet Lace’ is a slightly taller form, offering intense violet colour from oetals and buds, with grey-green foliage.

'Winter Lace'.

'Violet Lace'.

Q&A

I’m 12 years old and into growing plants. Do avocado trees make good indoor plants? How do you grow them from seed?

Frankie Lewis, by email

Avocados make great houseplants with lush foliage – just don’t expect any fruit. It’s fun and easy to sprout seeds indoors. Use toothpicks to support a seed over a glass, with its broad end in water. Give it bright, indirect light and change the water every few days. After six weeks or so, roots emerge, then a shoot. When the stem is about 15cm, pot up the plant. Pinch out the tips to encourage more shoots.

I’ve dispensed with kitty litter and convinced the cats it’s OK to use shredded copies of The Weekend Australian. I flush the poos but what about the wet paper – bin, green bin, compost heap or worm farm?

Gabriele Trobbiani, Adelaide

Keep it out of landfill, but a worm farm is fine, in small batches, unless the cats have just been wormed. Home composting is good but traces of pathogens and parasites from cat poo can survive, so don’t use the compost on your vegie bed. In South Australia you can put all your pet waste (including poo) in the green bin for safe commercial composting, as long as the litter is 100 per cent paper, sawdust or compostable; wrap it in newspaper or use compostable bags.

My potted yellow dipladenia survived summer by mostly sitting in a saucer of water, but it now looks close to dying. It’s been cold and wet here lately.

Barbara Bourn, Perth

Dipladenias, aka mandevillas, are very cold sensitive and grow best in pots where the roots can stay dry and warm. Wet feet can kill them. During winter, remove the saucer and move the pot to your warmest spot, ideally under cover. Keep quite dry.

Send your questions to [e-mail]. The best question for August wins a Son of Prong, worth $108, from the Australian-invented range of digging tools to penetrate hard soil, lever out rocks and lift plants. prong.com.au

Son of Prong.