Spring garden update

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Today has been sunny and the perfect gardening weather, cue a mammoth 6 hours working outside. 

First I have turned over all of the bark-mulched soil in the new green and white border. Dug compost into it, top-dressed it with leaf mold and planted out some new items.  Each planting hole has been given a measured amount of organic fertiliser mixed with more gorgeous leaf mold.  Putting into practice what I have learnt at horticultural school has been very beneficial to this heavy clay area.

Next on my to-do list was to revisit this bench idea that I planted last year.  This time I have paid a bit of attention to the soil by turning it and lifting the couch grass roots.  I have added some more Heuchera's (Palace Purple) and a new addition is the Brunnera macrophylla (Jack Frost) which sparkles in shady corners.

A wind-damaged fence panel has been replaced and painted, a willow screen erected to split a border, the usual weeding has been undertaken and a general tidy-up.  Then it was time to enjoy the recent changes that the season brings.

The Camellia japonica 'Desire' has begun to give is its display in a shady corner.  The earlier frost-damage hasn't harmed these new flowers.  There are many more flower buds than the previous year.  This was a great addition to the garden.

Also on the shady side these Euphorbias have sprung into action, they have never looked so good with their lime-green zingy flower-heads.

The wildlife pond is beginning to come to life, the new green and white border in the background. 


More blossom from the Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra', breaks up the space with gentle colour and height.


This may be a year of firsts, one being the flowers in the native hedge from the Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) that separate the wildlife pond from the rest of the garden.


Another familiar sight in many gardens.


More blossom, this time from the Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' 


Finally the Chaenomeles x superba 'Crimson and Gold' has gone mad this year, rewarding us with lots of flowers.  At some point I will decide what I want to do with this little gem, perhaps growing it against a wall is the answer.

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