THE WEATHER -

After three weeks of beautiful weather in March, it was back to normal again on the 1st, with heavy showers for most of the day, and a blustery wind. Dry and sunny again for the next week, but turning very cold, with sharp frost at night. A minus 4°C frost on the 7th made short work of my Magnolia and Rhododendron flowers, turning them to brown mush - bah!!! The frost also damaged a lot of tender new growth, especially the lovely bright red new leaves of Pieris 'Forest Flame', and new growth on Schizophragma, Actinidia kolomicta, Stachyurus praecox and Crinodendron hookeri, which is very disappointing...... By mid-month, however, the weather had changed dramatically, and we had a heat-wave, with a high of 25°C (83°F)! Lovely weather until the 19th, when it changed again, cloudy and grey with a very cold easterly wind - back to wearing a thick coat in the garden again! Lovely weather again by the 21st, (although not so warm), but dull and showery on the 24th. Lots of rain on the 25th, which was very welcome as we haven't had any decent rain since 1st April! Heavy showers continued for the rest of the month. Maximum temperature 25°C (83°F), minimum temperature minus 3°C (27°F).

I have recently become hooked on Hippeastrums (syn. Amaryllis) since having one in January as a free gift from a garden centre. I now have several, and this one is called 'Red Peacock' and is absolutely stunning. It has beautiful deep red-orange velvety flowers, which are double, and have a wonderful depth to them. I bought it quite late in the season, along with two more (Hercules - deep red, and Hermitage - red with a white stripe), so although my others have been and gone, these three are in full flower now, with more to come!

If you like architectural-looking plants, then you'll love this - Euphorbia mellifera. It is an evergreen branching shrubby plant, and in my garden grows to around 4 feet tall. Its flowers smell of honey, and whilst they are perhaps not showy, they are certainly interesting. It is not as hardy as some of the Euphorbias, and needs a sheltered position away from cold winds, but mine has regularly survived minus 9°C. Very easy from cuttings as well!

I love Magnolias, and at this time of year they are stunning! This one is Magnolia x soulangiana 'Alexandrina'. I've had this plant for about 20 years, and it is now very large. Every year, it is covered in beautiful flowers which smell wonderful. This is a shared Magnolia - one side of it sweeps to the ground over my neighbour's fence! I've offered to cut it back but they won't hear of it - it's too lovely! Unfortunately, the day after this picture was taken, a minus 4°C frost destroyed most of the flowers - grrrrrr!

Some people hate Muscari - but I love them! I have several varieties, and this one, called 'Valerie Finnis', with powder blue flowers, is one I have only acquired this year, after wanting it for a long time. I thought I'd have to send off to a specialist bulb nursery, but no - good old Tesco's came up trumps again! I couldn't believe it when they had loads of these bulbs for sale, so bought about four packs! Now that they have flowered, I'm really pleased with the quality of them.

Primula 'Eugenie', is one of my favourites. It has very double deep blue flowers which have a thin white edge. My clump is getting quite large, and I suppose I should really split it now, but it makes such an impact that I'm loathe to do it! I have it growing with blue Muscari, close to two large decorative blue ceramic bottles, which are just by the blue gazebo, and they all complement each other! Later on the Primulas and Muscari flowers are replaced by the blue Agapanthus which grow next to them, so the blue theme is carried forward......

That's all for this month...... Happy Gardening!!

Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Crow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Robin, Rook, Seagull, Starling, Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Wren.

LEAVES
Patience Strong

Once again the leaves appear at the springtime of the year,
Little tight buds gently breaking, from their winter sleep awaking....
Chestnut leaves and Sycamore and Birch and Pear and Plane,
Shining clean green leaves unclose, all dancing in the rain.
Born to clothe the lovely naked forms of happy trees,
Cloaks of woven emerald to flutter in the breeze.

Humans falter and forget -
God has never failed us yet.
Here is beauty for the taking -
Lift your eyes, all fear forsaking -
God gives to the heart that grieves,
New green leaves -
His new green leaves