Best of the bunch - gladiolus.

They are delicious in ratatouille and other vegetable dishes, or pureed and served as dips and their glossy deep burgundy colour is always impressive.

Aubergines (Solanum melongena) need to be grown in a glasshouse or the warmest, most sheltered spot in the garden.

They can be sown from February to March under glass and should be grown in pots or beds in well-drained, rich soil. Hold off planting them out under a cloche until the minimum temperature at night is above 15C (59F). When the plants reach 18in (45cm) high, pinch out the growing tip of the main stem to prompt the plants to fruit on the side shoots. Limit plants to just four to six fruits by nipping off any additional buds. They need a liquid feed weekly and should be harvested in mid-summer.