More Spring flowers at the end of March

March came in like a lion and seems to be going out like a lion!  While we have enjoyed some sunny Spring-like days, it has also been blustery and cold, some places have had rain, snow and hail to contend with.  Despite the vagaries of our weather, tulips are in flower in the borders. I think these are all Brown Sugar from previous years and they do seem to be doing the best out of all the ones I have planted in the borders.   

They have a very strong stem which helps.

They are also flowering in the north facing border too.  As I mentioned previously, I think my tulips in pots will be disappointing this year, but at least I still have these to enjoy!

The Erythronium (Dog's Tooth Violet) Pagoda grows every year and the flowers will soon be open.  This is a lovely, undemanding plant. 

I also noticed the Epimedium Sulphureum flowering too with its delicate stems of yellow flowers.

Finally for now, at the front of the house is this lone narcissus in a pot. I am not sure of the variety but it could be a triandrus. I love the delicate pale cream/lemon colour.  

Lots to bring me joy as we move into April.

Easter in the garden 2025 - part one

From now until mid June is my favourite time of year here in the UK.  Everything is so fresh and green and there is so much to enjoy.  A walk round my little garden brings me a lot of colour, starting with Lathyrus vernus above and Lathyrus vernus alboroseus below.

Lathyrus vernus is a member of the pea family, which is obvious looking at the flowers.

Clematis alpina Blue Dancer and...

...Clematis Frankie in flower on the arch.  When I pruned the summer flowering clematis which also grows up the arch in the summer, I unintentionally pruned some of these too,  which I was really cross with myself about, but they are still flowering, so I am really pleased to see them.

I never tire of these simple primroses, which seed themselves about and are always a delight.  They were one of my granny's favourites.

The more exotic looking Erythronium Pagoda...

...with the similar colours of Epimedium versicolor sulphureum.

These do look like lilies.

Apple blossom is also a joy - my little patio apple, James Grieve is having a good blossoming time.  

I'm not the only one enjoying these flowers as I saw lots of bees and other insects on them yesterday.  

Finally for now, there is the delicate baby blue of Muscari Manon.  I do like these paler blues but have a lot of 'ordinary' grape hyacinths as well as named varieties such as Valerie Finnis and Latifolium as well as some mixes.  These are also enjoyed by the bees and other insects.

There will be a tulip focus in my next post.

Late Spring garden

Apart from tulips there are some other rather lovely plants to celebrate in the garden.  Above is Erythronium Pagoda - a 'dog's-tooth violet', although they aren't violets at all.  The 'Dog's-tooth' bit comes for the shape of the bulb which looks a bit like a canine tooth. I have had these in the garden for many years and have loved seeing them...

...but they have only just started to make a decent sized clump.

Epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum (I think) was another one I have had for years.  I thought I had lost it completely but it has reappeared, much to my delight.

Camellia rosthorniana Cupido is flowering down at the bottom of the garden.

I spotted a little self-sown viola in amongst some sempervivums.

This was the colour of the sky this morning, with the Magnolia Susan flowers looking (and smelling) beautiful.