Larry Smith and the Riverside Gardens team talk all things pots, plants and pruning in their weekly gardening column.
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Each week, the hardest part of writing this column is deciding what to talk about that will be both seasonal and interesting.
Completely stumped this week, I have taken the easy option and chosen a selection of plants that have been creating the most interest in the Garden Centre this spring and are looking great right now.
Probably the most standout plants over the past few weeks have been the dogwood trees.
They have been putting on some of the best floral displays I have seen in this area, and it is obvious they have enjoyed the slow, gentle arrival of spring this year.
Of these, Cornus Rutban Aurora has attracted the most attention with its large creamy-white flower bracts.
As the tree matures, the abundance of flowers can almost screen out the foliage beneath.
Growing to around five metres high, with fresh green foliage that turns beautiful shades of purple and burgundy in autumn, it is easy to see why it is regarded as one of the finest small deciduous feature trees.
Like most dogwoods grown in our area, it performs best in a position with morning sun, afternoon shade and protection from hot, drying winds.
Cornus Stellar Pink is one of the best pink-flowering dogwoods and, despite its reputation for preferring cooler climates, it will grow well in the Shepparton region when given extra protection.
It reaches a similar size to Aurora, but has a softer, more delicate appearance, with slightly smaller flower bracts.
Another dogwood worth considering is Cornus June Snow, which has a distinctive horizontal branching habit that gives it a layered, architectural appearance.
Large clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in late spring and early summer, while its autumn foliage develops spectacular shades of orange, red and burgundy.
It grows wider than many other dogwoods, reaching almost eight metres across under ideal conditions.
Although they are yet to flower in the nursery, the evergreen magnolia Inspiration has been putting on a beautiful display around town and creating strong demand for what is still a relatively limited plant.
Growing to around four to five metres high and two to three metres wide, it makes an excellent feature tree, but is equally useful as a large screening plant.
The masses of highly fragrant creamy-white flowers, produced from late winter through spring, contrast beautifully against the glossy green foliage.
Pieris japonica Debutante and Mountain Fire have also generated plenty of interest in the Garden Centre.
Both are currently displaying masses of white bell-shaped flowers and have brightened the Garden Centre over the past six weeks.
These acid-loving plants enjoy similar conditions to azaleas and rhododendrons, preferring morning sun and afternoon shade.
Debutante is the smaller grower of the two reaching around one metre high with green foliage and light bronze to coppery-green new growth.
Mountain of Fire grows to about 1.5 metres high with brilliant fiery red new growth in spring, which gradually matures to dark green.
The Lotus berthelotii hanging baskets are already looking fantastic this spring.
Commonly known as the parrot's beak plant, it produces striking red-orange flowers that resemble a parrot's beak.
The soft silver-grey foliage cascades gracefully from hanging baskets, creating the perfect backdrop for the vivid flowers.
Lotus thrives in full sun to part shade and flowers continuously from spring through summer.
It will need some protection from frost next winter, so be prepared to move it into a sheltered position when cold weather arrives.
Another plant generating plenty of interest is Hydrangea Runaway Bride, which has begun producing its first flush of flowers for the season.
The elegant white lace cap blooms initially appear at the tips of the stems before continuing further down each branch, eventually creating a spectacular garland-like display of flowers.
Named Australian Plant of the Year in 2025, it continues to prove why it deserved the title.
Other spring favourites include fuchsias, which are just beginning to flower and are ideal for hanging baskets, containers and sheltered positions in the garden.
Calibrachoas continue to impress after proving themselves over the last few summers, bringing a reliable splash of colour to sunny gardens, hanging baskets and pots.
Meanwhile, leucospermums, often known as pincushion proteas, and serrurias such as Blushing Bride, have been looking exceptional in the Garden Centre and have sparked plenty of interest and conversations.
So, if you enjoy plants and the beauty they bring to our gardens, a stroll through the Garden Centre at this time of year can be a very pleasant way to spend an hour or two.
There is certainly no shortage of colour, fragrance and inspiration on display.