What a strange Spring, Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ almost fully open on 26 April, that’s another first for me!
Alliums in April
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Monthly Archives: April 2017
Easter Delights
There has been much debate about my white bluebells on social media this week. Are they Spanish or English? White English bluebells do exist although they are rare in the wild. In domestic gardens like mine they are much more likely to be a hybrid form and the sheer quantity of flowers per stem lead me to believe this even more. However, they make a nice change from the blue and take visitors by surprise.
I was surprised to find quite a few Cosmos seedlings in the front border this week and I am guessing they must be from ‘Xanthos’ which were nearby last year. This is a first for me, I have never had self sown Cosmos before. 
We went to see some friends in their ‘new’ cottage this weekend, The Old Smithy in Harrold, near Bedford. They don’t claim any credit for their beautiful garden and are doing the sensible thing by letting everything happen for a year before making any changes. The bones are definitely there and few changes will be required, The previous owners did a great job of planting a selection of tried and tested shrubs and perennials.
The different levels and material changes add to the interest and the stone retaining wall helps to maintain the raised border without bending down. Early spring blossom is everywhere making it a garden for several seasons.
The arch covered with ivy and Clematis montana ‘Elizabeth’ is a joy and provides a colourful focal point where the driveway meets the garden,
And the separate garden alongside the drive is dominated by a wonderful and productive Bramley apple tree underplanted with Bergenias and tulips.
What a lovely start to the Easter weekend!
Wonderful Welsh Weather
It was a great opening day at the RHS Cardiff Flower Show last Friday and astonishingly good weather for early April. These two young ladies were highly entertaining and certainly tickled the lady from Petrichor Bulbs.
The narcissus display by Cornwall’s Ron Scamp was utterly breathtaking and demonstrated the sheer breadth of colour and form available from the humble daffodil.
Alliums in flower on 7th April?? Sadly not grown here but impressive nevertheless. I had an engaging five minutes with the supplier who confirmed that bulbs don’t sell unless the public can see the results for real, pictures just won’t do.
Can’t remember the name of this hydrangea but it was a stunner!
Unlike Michael Heseltine who, it has to be said, is now in his twilight years and should perhaps have left his book promotion to his publishers. I am sure Thenford is a wonderful estate but his slide show and presentation left a lot to be desired.
On a lighter note, I just loved this woven willow caterpillar which obviously took someone a lot of time and effort. It was greatly admired by all!
This ‘frameless’ greenhouse caught my eye but I am not sure it is going to catch on. One flying stone from a lawnmower, a poorly kicked football, an overloaded wheelbarrow or simply a fallen pot and the result could be interesting and expensive!
It was a great little show and good value compared to some of the bigger RHS events at just £9 entry for members. It was small though, probably due to the early date in the calendar, but I would go again just to get my first horticultural fix of the year.
Mid Week Review
Sometimes it’s the happy accidents that make the all the difference like this Euphorbia characias and Clematis macropetala, what a lovely colour combination.
Always exciting to see Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ piercing through the ground. It loves my heavy clay soil.
The Fritillaria imperialis just before I spotted a Lily beetle!
Who says Hyacinths don’t grow well after being forced in pots. This one is five years old and getting better every year.
Davids Garden Diary 