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THE MONTH OF APRIL

Warmest since records began more than 350 years ago!

Heads of Cowslip.



Unlimited sunshine!

Red Admiral butterfly on fragrant Lilac.



Snow showers!

Amelanchier blossom.

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IN THE GREEN

The month of April sees my garden looking at its best.

Well that's my opinion.

I really wouldn't mind if any of these perennials and grasses ever flowered.

I love them just for their foliage.

Fresh new growth carpets the borders.

My aim is for every inch of soil to be covered.

One day?

Once the flowers appear on these perennials they will be loved by bees, of the honey, solitary and bumble kind!

With much to do at this time of year, I've been busy over past weekends and on days off.

Jobs done:

Divided one large clump of Rudbeckia into six, and Ophiopogon, making eight plants out of one.

Potted up self-sown Verbena B and Euphorbia making a dozen or more new plants, to either give away or add to the border in Autumn.

Potted up three Bronze Carex plants, bought for 30p each from a local church table-top sale.

Re-potted plants from last year, yet to find a new home.

Sown Cerinthe.

Cleaned out pots in readiness for arrival of five varieties of dark-leaf Dahlia mail order.

Pulled up 1970's concrete slabs, making more space for planting.

Picked first Rhubarb of the year, to make home-made crumble.

Pricked out hundreds and thousands of weeds, and pulled off tens of Dandelion heads!

Much time has been spent planning for the Summer ahead too.

I have quite a few spare pots (smile).

To buy:

Varieties of Mint, and Lavender plants ...

and maybe anything else that pulls at my purse strings!

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ALLIUM SCHUBERTII

Shows a spectacular firework burst of flowers in June,



and dramatic seedheads later in the year.

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CEPHALARIA - GIANT SCABIOUS

Giant being the operative word! This plant requires a lot of space.

A hardy perennial with pincushion heads of lemon-yellow flowers. A lovely addition to a cottage style garden, and makes a pretty stem for cutting. Its nectar is loved by both butterflies and bees.



The weather here in the South has been gorgeous, with warm, sunny days, with an odd blip here and there!

With longer daylight hours, evenings have been spent titivating, with more serious gardening only happening on days off.

Maybe now's the time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of one's labour!

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LEMONS AND LIMES

A lemon shade potentilla at the front of a border. A hardy perennial which is long flowering and will self seed around the garden.



A lime shade euphorbia, in the middle of a border. A compact, suckering variety which can be useful as ground cover. Will tolerate dry shade and looks great in a woodland setting.

Always be cautious when handling euphorbia, the sap is poisonous and irritates the skin.