I can’t really avoid the c word this week. These past few days have gone by in a whirl and we are all coming terms with profound changes to our lives. The discipline of spending a little time to write about the garden is finding a new level of meaning and spring has arrived so it is all the more enjoyable. It it so good to focus on the new life that is appearing and the joy that comes with seeing the perennials push through again. Here are my six delights for this week.
One
There have been some cold nights and cold windy days this week but the sun has some warmth and the garden is responding. I’ve seen the tulips in bud and this week the Thalia opened up. Must have more of them was my response.
Two
I know everyone has done daffs over the last few weeks but I’m going to tip my hat again to Tete a Tete. When I planted this ring of them around the persimmon tree I thought there was a stronger danger of it looking a little twee. Maybe it does but seeing this cheerful ring of them every morning makes my day. I’ve gone for over-egging the pudding and have also planted an inner ring of snowdrops. I can’t wait!
Three
It feels a little early to be cutting back the hydrangeas but the new growth is coming through strongly now. I am going to resist for as long as I can. April can be cruel. The penstemons are also sending out new growth but they aren’t going to tempt into a cut back just yet.
Four
The new growth on the roses has this lovely reddish colour. In admiring this exuberance I also noticed that some tying in was needed, which was duly done. It is at this time of year I realise that I could have been more ruthless with some of the climbing roses. Some people never learn.
Five
More new growth coming from the weigela florida ‘Variegata’. I bought it new for this garden so it is about three years old now. I’m happy to let it have it’s natural height but I think I may need to contain the spread. I’m looking forward to May when it’s pink flowers appear.
Six
I anticipate a sudden influx of bees as the rosemary comes into flower. Yes, indeed gardening and all its side benefits will be keeping my soul healthy this year.
Thanks to The Propagator for his admirable work in keeping Six on Saturday together. I shall be sowing seeds this weekend, definitely some cosmos, perhaps some zinnias and probably some tellima grandiflora and the grass needs cutting. Enjoy your gardening jobs, take time to appreciate what’s growing now and celebrate Springtime, for it is officially here!
n20gardener 
I always have a weakness for thalias … They are very beautiful flowers.
Stay home and stay safe… Gardening is one of the key in these gloomy days
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Very much staying at home and you too I imagine. Glad that I have the garden to go to and I’m catching up on some seed sowing and weeding. I hope you and your family are all well.
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I’m fine thank you. I’m going to start writing my next Six this afternoon ! Have a great day.
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Great post. I love Thalias and did exactly the same last year. Bought more! So glad I did!
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Your Thalias look lovely! Mine are only just opening up so I only managed a photo of them in bud in the rain. I hope the sunny weather we are promised arrives next week so I can get better photos. And I still have more daffs to show, although the tulips are starting to make an appearance too. I don’t think your tree ring is at all twee. Maybe add some blue Muscari too?
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I like the blue muscari suggestion very much! Can you believe that I don’t have any!! I’ll stop by your site and have a look at your Thalias. The sunshine has been good but now we have cold weather to come. Keep well.
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Yes, the sun has brought a lot more of the buds forward. Even tulips have joined the party!
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The Thalia are so pretty. Still waiting for mine to open.
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I hope the sunshine has persuaded yours to show up this week. My tulips in the sunniest spot are just on the verge of opening. All very cheering!
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I’ve bought some Thalia bulbs to plant this year, so I hope eventually they’ll look as pretty as yours.
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I am sure they will be, they are lovely but I think the slugs also like them. It doesn’t seem too bad at the moment.
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I trimmed most of my roses earlier in in the year but I think I am going to trim a couple I have got in a pot again. I admire your patience in cutting back the Hydrangea I had to cut mine back at the start of the year.
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I have been looking at the Hydrangeas every day this week, but the nights have been down to 0 degrees and the is a nasty looking cold spell forecast for the weekend 😦 I hope you are keeping well – difficult times.
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Yes all good thanks. I have been furloughed so May get 12 weeks in the Darden. I don’t think it is going to be that cold at the weekend.
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Hydrangeas are that sensitive to late cold weather?! Someone else mentioned that earlier. I would be concerned about damaging the new growth while pruning the old.
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That is so much a problem for me and there is often a casualty or two. What a balance gardening is. Take it all off early and have the new growth nipped by a late frost or leave it on and then knock it off as you prune. Aargh! Cold weather forecast here for the next week so I am leaving it another week!
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