The vaguely green-fingered thoughts of a rambling rose.

Warm Spring Sunshine


Each season I find something that makes me happy.  In spring it's the speed at which everything comes together.  The sun becomes brighter and warmer, the days longer.  The birds fill my heart with their song, the leaves unfurl and as each flower swells and bursts open, I cannot imagine wanting to be anywhere but in the garden.  




These three photos show just how quickly acer Aureum leaves explode from tightly wrapped buds when the warm spring days arrive. 


In the Yen Garden, crimson rhododendron flowers are about to bloom.


The pruning of this Japanese cherry blossom, prunus serrulata Kanzan, has paid dividends as it is now smothered in sugary pink, nectar rich clusters that are a magnet for bees.


Above, acer palmatum Sango-kaku is now in full leaf, as is the rich deep tone of what we think is a. dissectum Garnet. 



Sitting beneath the wisteria laden arch that leads to the Yen Garden, sat a large green glazed pot containing cannas.  Today I dug these up and repotted them into a smaller container of the same design. 


The larger green pot is required for a greater purpose, which be revealed at a later date.


The increasingly rare sighting of our very own Bumblebee. He doesn't often venture into the garden, however the lockdown has caused many folk to behave in unusual ways, and the wildlife are thriving as a result!


In the meantime, The Man That Can has been a busy bee also.  Last week I removed the rotting log roll from either side of the arch on the patio.  This week, TMTC has removed all the concreted stones along the edge of the left hand side and along the Long Border.  This has created a trench of around 7 or 8 inches in width. 


He then filled the trench with a mixture of old compost and top soil, before removing the rotting log roll. In the coming weeks I shall bring some of the lower growing plants forward into this new space to blend it all together.

Hard work over for now, it's time to enjoy the garden.  A pleasure for all the senses. 


Easter


It's relatively easy for me as an introvert to cope with the lockdown as I don't feel the urge many people do to be out and about. I'm happy to spend time in the home or garden with my family.

Mother nature blessed the 4 day weekend with good weather so out came the cushions for the patio furniture so we were able to enjoy it.


There has been an explosion of foliage on the trees in the garden. The Tibetan cherry has even put on a display of tiny white flowers.


Before the serious business of relaxation could begin, there were a few tasks to attend to.  I removed the rotting log roll from the Terrace border and both sides of the patio borders.  TMTC cleaned the pond pump and the water butts, and between us we cleaned the trunks of the birches and Tibetan cherry, along with the seating in the Yen, Mugwart's Retreat, and on the patio.  Everywhere was watered really well and mulches applied for the roses with manure and the acid lovers with old ericaceous compost mixed with some slow release fertiliser. 



  






Time to sit and stitch in the sunshine. 


The blackbirds aren't afraid of us and come very close.





Tulip time.




And....Ellie.  She is such a sun worshipper.  Angel rarely sat in the sun and actively sought the shade, preferably inside.  Ellie is the opposite.  She will follow a shaft of sunlight around and if the door is open will sit outside on the terrace alone if she has to.

However, if she can sit on the sun lounger, pushing you into the shade cast by the parasol then she will.

She's such a diva.

April. What a beautiful start to Spring


24 degrees Celsius this afternoon.  A gorgeous day for self-isolating...sitting in the garden with a cup of tea, listening to the birds.  A girl can dream.... I'm still working full time.  I did manage a walk during my lunch break without even a cardigan for the first time this year so not all bad.


The patio has had a jet wash, removing all the green algae that had formed over the wet winter we had.


And everything is emerging so quickly now that if you sat still for long enough, I'm sure you could see the growth. 


















I'm so excited about our wisteria (above).  Last year we had a solitary flower.  This year there are a great many more flower buds!  I only hope we don't get a hard frost.


Blossom on the cherry (prunus serrulata Kanzan) and apple trees.




The neighbour's acers are filled with bees collecting nectar from the tiny red flowers.

I love spring.