Mother's Day

What another fantastic spring day! Here in the UK it's Mothering Sunday. A day to be spoiled.   I had a bit of a lie-in and read my book before our younger son presented me with a card, a pack of gardening gloves and some chocolates.

A morning in the garden was my only request on this special day.  

A further 5 pots of dwarf narcissus, a Weigela, 2 pots of heavily scented pinks, and clematis Alpina Constance were purchased from the garden centre we visited yesterday. 

Hemerocalis (daylilies) should be orange with a reddish-brown stripe.

A couple of large clumps of native primroses 

Some bluebells, lily of the valley and snowdrops. 

And two small clumps of pink and white flowering plants that I have yet to identify. 

TMTC dug up a large clump of astrantia in the long border. 

I split it into 4 good sized chunks. One was replanted in the same place, one in each of the borders either side of the patio arch, and the last replaced a fern at the other end of the long border that had outgrown its welcome.

The huge fern this end was also removed.  It was split into two pieces and these have been planted in the Yen Garden.

The white Colly-rose was moved to the back of the border, and the remaining yellow dwarf narcissi filled the gaps, along with clumps of snowdrops.  Although these bulbs are all past their best, they will look so pretty next spring in what was otherwise a very boring bed during the colder months. 

Did I mention my fondness for daffodils?

In the pink garden, we've planted clematis Alpina Constance with its pinky purple heads beside the mirror. 

In the beds either side of the patio arch, we've planted the pinks and clumps of the astrantia.  In the right hand one (above photo), the Hemerocalis, Weigela "wings of fire" and some lily of the valley. 

We believe this to be a red Peony.  Time will reveal.  We've planted it at the back of the terrace border. 

Iris and nerine bulbs have also been planted in the terrace border. 

In the Yen Garden, half of the fern has found a home beside the lantern and the other half beside the Buddha head. 

Buds breaking on the Acer above and cherry below.

The spicy tang of wallflowers are adding some depth to the spring scents....if only it wasn't so windy.

The final job today was cleaning the pond.  The ferns have been tidied up, dead foliage removed from the pond, and algae from the waterfall. 

The rest of the day was spent enjoying the sunshine.