It's spring and VAL BOURNE is enjoying the colourful tiered auricula show

One of the pleasures of spring is setting up my auricula theatre, a rather grand name for a set of tiered wooden shelves that hold my collection of about 30 plants. I will be emulating an old 18th-century tradition. But auricula growing has a much longer history.

The plants were brought here by Flemish weavers who settled in Norwich, Ipswich, Rochdale and Middleton circa 1570. More plants arrived with the Huguenots in the early 17th century and by 1792 there was a Florist's Directory listing hundreds of named forms.

Florists of the 17th and 18th century did not sell flowers as they do now. They bred and exhibited them as a hobby, often in tiny urban gardens. Enthusiasts raised carnations, laced pinks, ranunculus, double hollyhocks, flamed tulips, pansies and violets and different flowers were popular in different areas of the country with different sets of workers. The Paisley weavers of Glasgow specialised in laced pinks, for instance.

In the first part of the 19th century there are numerous references in local newspapers to auricula shows. They were usually held in the club room of an inn, being advertised by a copper kettle hung outside. The kettle was the main prize and judging was done by passing plants from hand to hand round the table with the decision reached by consensus. The proceedings ended with a meal or feast together with, one suspects, much consumption of ale.

However, people still love auriculas today, copper kettle or not. I think they appeal because of their pristine colours and form and, after all, few things look as good in a pot as an auricula.

Some demand alpine house conditions in winter and therefore it's best to keep them in a cool, airy place away from winter rain. This could be a shaded cold frame that's well ventilated, or an alpine house. Alpine houses are basically airy, light greenhouses that don't get too warm in winter. Often the sides are open.

For auriculas like well drained soil and cool, airy conditions away from strong sunshine. Traditional terracotta pots suit them best. Fill them with a mixture containing one part washed grit to eight parts of John Innes no 2. Then add one part peat or leaf mould and once potted top dress the plant with a generous layer of coarse grit. Some auricula growers disapprove of grit, but I find it helps me. If using plastic pots, use equal parts of compost, grit and peat.

When you buy an auricula, find a cool spot. Water, then allow it to drain away. After flowering remove the seed head and place the plant somewhere shady and cool and water minimally. By late summer some plants may need dividing and you just tease them apart with your hands.

Once potted on they must be encouraged to make good roots before winter sets in. When the plant starts into growth in early spring it can be fed with a half-strength liquid fertiliser to boost flowering.

Flower forms and colours differ. There are gold-centred and light-centred forms and there are intricate doubles and these can be grown in the garden in a cool, well-drained place away from full summer sun. Good garden varieties include Old Yellow Dusty Miller', Broadwell Gold' and Blue Velvet'.

Show auriculas are more demanding and come in four types. Edged flowers usually have green, white or silver-grey outer lips to the petals. Some are dusted with white meal'. The selfs are all one colour, but they can be stunningly simple. Then there are the stripes and the fancies. Astolat' (pictured) is an easy fancy variety raised in 1971. Lovebird' is an excellent edged variety. Red Gauntlet' is a strong red self and Lord Saye and Sele' is a vigorous striped with local connections. This family own Broughton Castle, near Banbury.

Woottens of Wenhaston are offering a collection of seven named varieties of auriculas for £25. To order the collection all 01502 478258/www.woottensplants.co.uk