I am writing this on a lovely Spring-like day. The day started with a chill in the air but has developed into being sunny and mild. The bees and butterflies have been out and about and the world feels just that little bit better for a bit of sunshine; if, she adds as a huge caveat, I keep away from the news.
The Spring bulbs I planted in the front garden last Autumn are starting to make their presence known. Ignore the weeds, look at the lovely red species tulips, the first to open in the garden this year.
This narcissus is rather stunning too. I know you want to know its name and if I could find it I would tell you. I have it somewhere..... with the species tulip name I imagine....
Whilst we are on the subject of
weeds, bulbs, this is the pot of
Trevor's tulips given to me by a kind friend when my cat Trev died four years ago. Hard to believe it is four years already. The tulips have done what many tulips do: flowered well in year one, sulked in year two and now in year four they are thinking of making a comeback.
In the back garden the cardoons are on their way up.
The windspinner is back in place following its Winter under cover and you can just see the flowers of the Magnolia stellata starting to open.
In the Courtyard Garden the Prunus Kojo no mai is flowering well and the Camellia rosthorniana 'Cupido' is thinking about flowering. It seems to think about it for a long time, budding up early but not opening for weeks and weeks. It is like it is waiting for the perfect day that never comes.
The Fritilleria imperialis are starting to flower. They benefit from cold Springs as it keeps the slugs and lily beetles at bay.
and these 'pinkish' narcissus that I refuse to like, refuse to die and now are bulking up. I might have to give in and admit they are rather good after all. I think I am getting more used to them.
The amalanchier at the top of the garden is looking like it will be magnificent this year. It really has developed into a fabulous multi-stemmed tree.
and the Iford Cherry is on the cusp of being stunning.
The Tree Ferns have had their crowns unpacked as we are not currently having frosts. I might need to repack them if the frost returns.
There are signs of knuckles so that is good.
Magnolia Leonard Messel is having a great year,
as is the Edgeworthia.
A peek into the greenhouse shows a tale of ivy-despair but also that this is being dealt with. There has been much sorting out and throwing away. The amount of rubbish that was in the greenhouse was frankly embarrassing. Now at least I can get to the ivy and deal with it. Good for wildlife it might be, but not good for greenhouses.
The pond too is a cause for concern. Its not too choked up yet and fairly full; but there has been no frogspawn this year for the first time ever and that is really worrying. I am not sure if I have done something wrong or if it is a bad year for frogspawn; but this is a first and not one that I like. Let's hope next year will be different.
Spring is definitely happening in your garden! I love it when the Magnolias bloom. It won't be long now for my part of the Midwest U.S. A few things are blooming here and there. :)
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