March has simply flown by and, as I
write, it is now the middle of April.
Looking at these photos I am struck by
just how much has changed in the short
time since I took them. Catkins have
fallen and fresh green leaf buds are in
their place, Clematis alpina growing
outside the back door is still a mass of
flowers and primrose and periwinkle
are in their prime but on the terrace
fritillary and narcissus are sadly over.
In the border waxy white flowers of
Viburnum x carlcephalum are opening
from pink-tinged buds and their spicy
fragrance is drifting through the
garden. This is a wonderful group of
plants - our native Viburnum opulus,
aptly named the snowball tree is
perfect in an informal mixed border,
Viburnum
tinus thrives in shade and
has winter flowers and Viburnum
plicatum ‘Lanarth’ arguably queen of
them all makes an elegant specimen
shrub with tiered branches and white
lace-cap flowers.
For a good selection available by mail
order do check out Burncoose Nursery. |
