Who can resist watching for the first green shoots to emerge in spring, perhaps of a giant globe allium or daffodil? Discovering that pastel hued crocus blossoms have magically appeared, often still surrounded by patches of snow, is always a welcome surprise.

Even the hardy and resilient pioneer staple, catnip, with its lovely jade green leaves, inspires amazement as it practically bursts out of the ground. Connecting with nature and rekindling a sense of wonder at the grandness of it all, especially after a long, cold winter, is good for the soul.

Folks moving to the Bancroft area from milder regions can look forward to finding an abundance of lovely, hardy perennials with which to landscape a new home or cottage property.

Approximately Canadian Zone 4 (USDA Zone 3), with temperatures that have been known to dip considerably lower on occasion, this area is fortunate to get a good layer of snow each winter, which provides excellent insulation for flower beds - to the extent that some people even have 'perennial' gladioli.

A fun way to get some expert gardening advice and meet a great bunch of people is to join the Bancroft Horticultural Society.

People with an artistic flair and competitive nature will enjoy entering the annual big flower show. Always a popular event, there are several different categories, including Decorative Arrangements (for which trophies are awarded), Perennial and Biennial Classes, Annual Class, Tuber and Bulb Classes, Vegetable and Fruit Classes and Miscellaneous Classes (for houseplants like African violets, cacti and orchids).