BRIDES

The picture above is Exochorda ‘The Bride’, a slow growing, stiffly branched shrub that is forced to grow in almost permanent dry shade in my garden.  it struggles, but still manages to bloom.  So I add insult to injury and grow a clematis through it too.  Treat ‘em mean - and they often die, but not in this case.  Philadelphus ‘The Bride’ will be flowering in a few weeks too and while it’s in flower it is glorious - blooms not unlike the Exochorda and with a heavenly scent - but for the rest of the year it’s a complete shambles.  It is forgiven because the blossom redeems it - but only just...

                                    

I’m really enjoying the hedgerow scene at the moment.  the Hawthorn is looking wonderful in the sunshine - except where we’ve trimmed the hedges tightly  in the winter - I like a blossomy hedge, but the hedge trimmer likes it clipped and crisp, but at least he agrees not to cut them until all the nesting birds have moved out.

FIRST HARVESTS

                       
At last we’ve had some rain. It’s much needed, although the grass has grown about a foot overnight in response - it’s just a shame the rain has to fall on the bank holiday weekend - as usual...

 We are in the middle of the ‘hungry gap’ which is the period when the pickings from the veg patch are slim - the winter vegetables have finished and the summer crops are yet to mature.  In years gone by this was a very difficult and often hungry, time.  Two crops that help to bridge the gap are purple sprouting brocolli and asparagus.  They are both easy to grow, although the brocolli takes nearly a year from sowing to harvest and must be protected from a barage of pests through the summer and pigeons in the winter - strangely nothing is around to eat it in early spring, so it’s a reliable cropper.  

If you have the space for a permanent bed, do grow some asparagus.  It does take a couple of years to establish, but after that you will be harvesting fresh spears from the same plants for many years.

EASTER HEAT

                                      














At last it’s Easter, and it feels too late for it, somehow.  All the chocolate is in the fridge as the weather’s so baking hot.  It could be June, or even August.  The tulips are nearly all over, seedlings are frazzling and salad crops are bolting.   I am happy for my family - all avid non-gardeners, as they are having a lovely time in the sunshine, but secretly and quietly (as it would never do to complain out loud about the sun shining) I am longing for some soft spring rain to fall on my bewildered garden.

BUD BURST (AND MORE CATKINS)

                     

The sunshine seems to be speeding up the opening of blossom and leaf buds.  Admittedly I am especially pleased and aware of it all this year, due to THAT WINTER.  You can almost see them splitting open and uncurling in front of you - a more thrilling version of watching paint dry.

Spring seems to have caught up with itself a bit this week, although I heard that the bluebells are still going to be late this year.  It will be interesting to see if it really does all even out, or whether the season will keep lagging behind.  Interesting for us, but possibly life and death to creatures timing their emergence with the blossoming of certain flowers.  

DAZZLERS

                                  

Just look at these gorgeous little lettuces - they could almost be spring flowers. This is a variety called ‘Dazzle’ and it lives up to its name.  It’s the first time I’ve grown this variety. I love it already and to be honest, I shall still love it even if it doesn’t taste that nice, because it’s so pretty.