Suddenly the garden is truly alive. Humming with bees, birdsong bouncing off the trees and butterflies flitting, as they do. Of course the nasties are out too. Slugs munching, things biting me and crowds of lily beetles arriving for the warm weather. Vigilance is required but beauty abounds too and last year’s new purchases are delivering.
One
I decided the hedge border was not much to look at in Spring so I invested in narcissus ‘Actaea’ to lighten the space. Yes I like them but of course so do the slugs. This year I am adopting the philosophical ‘what can you do approach’. I tried nematodes and last winter the border was mulched with Strulch. Possibly there are fewer slugs but their unerring sense for finding new delights is very strong.
Two
After many years of wondering what to plant in the shadier corners at the back of the garden I finally added in some erythronium ‘White Beauty’. Can’t think why I didn’t do this sooner or why I didn’t order at least double the quantity.
Three
The last of the trio of new bulbs was ipheion uniflorum. I can’t quite remember what sent me in their direction but here they are, also beloved by slugs but managing to fill the front edge gaps before the perennials come through.
Four
In 2019 I planted a ‘Stella’ cherry tree to grow against a wall in an espalier fashion. There is an abundance of blossom this year. Let’s hope the frost stays away and the fruits don’t get eaten by the birds!
Five
Of course there are more and more tulips. These are ‘Negrita’ which will be joined by ‘Ronaldo’ and ‘Spring Green’. I’ve decided this corner needs a revamp so it is on the list for a complete clearance as the end of the summer.
Six
Tulip ‘White Triumphator’, has been in the thin border since 2016. There are fewer of them this year and the size is diminishing. I like to mix them with ‘World Friendship’ and I’m still happy with this combination so I will be topping them up this autumn.
The weather has been glorious and I have been planting out the onion sets started off in modules. I have sown carrots under cloches and yesterday I sowed parsnip seeds. My veg patch is in part shade so it is always a little tricky to get the timings right. I have been sowing mange tout indoors every couple of weeks with very poor results. So far only four germinations. Let’s hope the current sunshine gives everything a boost. Mr P has also been busy so stop by and take a look over his fence and those of all the other SOSs. All welcome!
n20gardener 
I love Spring.
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Oh bother, are the lily beetles around already? I must go and take a look at my plants. Lovely Tulips.
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Definitely time to be vigilant and they are so sneaky!
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Easter Perfect is how I would describe your garden with all the lovely tulips and tree blossom.
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Aah, that’s nice. Thank you. We have been enjoying it this weekend. Some weeding but plenty of sitting around too!
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‘Bing’ cherry had been the common sort in the Santa Clara Valley for as long as I can remember. Orchards of it lived in Sunnyvale, and although there were plenty of abandoned trees on roadsides to collect fruit from, it also lived in home gardens. No one remembers the pollinators though. ‘Bing’ was so prioritized in the orchards that pollinators were not much more than ten percent of the trees. (They were installed in a grid pattern, with one pollinator for about nine ‘Bing’ cherry trees, rather than alternating rows of ‘Bing’ and another pollinating cultivar.) Pollinators were not necessary in home gardens because there were enough nearby, if not in an orchard, in a neighboring garden (Some people grew other cultivars.). It was weird. We never gave pollinators much thought. Well, of course, pollinators became more of a concern as the last of the orchards were exterminated. When I put a sweet cherry in my Mother’s garden, I selected ‘Stella’ because it does not need a pollinator. However, it was too different from the classic ‘Bing’. My Mother preferred it. I sort of miss the richer flavor of ‘Bing’. Since there were no tart cherries (that I can remember), ‘Bing’ was used for everything that required cherries, even pie. It seems weird now, but I can remember cherry pie made with ‘Bing’ cherries, and they were actually very good. To me, that is what cherry pie was supposed to be like. Anyway, ‘Stella’ is probably much more popular in home gardens now.
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I chose it because it didn’t need a pollinator and it is on a colt stock so it should be happy staying small. I hope we get some cherries this year so that we can judge the taste.
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Yes, mine was on ‘Colt’ also. It needed almost none of the aggressive pruning that I prefer to perform for such fruit trees. It only needed minor trimming for shape.
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A lovely trio of bulbs you chose. The Erythronium is a good idea for a shady spot. Does it need to be moist? Negrita looks great in the border, it’s a great colour, if it comes back reliably I might plant mine out (they are in a pot for now).
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The negotiations have been in about three years now and seem to survive well. The erythroniums are in a drying spot, very shady. My first year with them so we’ll have to see if they come back well, but I will add more. I think they will work well with the ferns I have nearby.
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The cherry blossoms are very pretty! I have more fear for greedy birds than for a late frost now. Negrita is a real eye-catcher in this bed with the forget-me-nots
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I think you’re right, I’m being a pessimist in worrying about frost! But I do!!
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Your tulips are lovely. And FMNs always make such a good companion. I saw masses of Erythronium ‘White Beauty’ at Wisley in the woodland areas and it looks so wonderful I might have to try growing some again, last time I planted a few bulbs I never saw them again!
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I hope these don’t disappear. I’ve made a note to order more.
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I have taken a fancy for Erythroniums over the past few years and find them very beautiful plants though they can be slow to bulk up. The Ipheoin, on the other hand, need no encouragement and there are big spreads of them in the garden. I got a nice blue one called ‘Wisley Blue’ which is attractive.
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I will be adding to the erythroniums and if the ipheoin spread I will be happy, they are the right size for the front of that particular border. I’ve seen some lovely photos of your erythroniums on Twitter. They are beautiful.
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RE S&S- I planted out my broad beans and then went away for two days. The carnage was unbelievable. Comes of having a mild winter I think. Your tulips are looking wonderful though and I’m very jealous of the erythronium, mine having mostly failed to surface. Apologies if this sounded a bit woe is me.
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No worries about woes! Gardening can be like that. I am slightly wondering how I managed to succeed with the erythroniums and I will have my fingers crossed when I plant more.
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