Friday 28 March 2014

It looks like spring

It looks like spring
but don't be fooled.
Between the bursts of sunshine hailstones have been tap-tapping at the window
and baby, it's cold out there!
I've been dividing the snowdrops, but as you can see my dibber is in the ground, abandoned to the weather. I'm going to put them around the St Patrick's Day daffodils that are just coming into flower.
Maisie's gravestone is surrounded by spring flowers
and there is blossom everywhere. 
This camellia grows outside the kitchen door
looking somewhat battered but still beautiful.
It never ceases to amaze me how delicate flowers emerge and survive in such unkind conditions.

There are promising-looking buds on the tree peony.
while in the greenhouse 'Blue Moon'
is flowering her socks off!
With another variety in bud.

I've had to resort to slug pellets to keep my delphinium seedlings from being devoured.
Once I've planted them in the garden I surround them with grit, which seems to work quite well. I'm loathe to use pellets outside where wildlife may be affected.
The strawberries were so weed infested that it has been easier to dig them up and replant rather than try to weed around each plant. It's probably set them back a bit but it will be much easier  when the time comes to pick the fruit.
I'm feeding Mr Fluffy-Pants and Vanilla for a day or two while their owners are away. They came along the wall to find me. "Help, help us, we are starving!" I didn't believe a word of it!
They just wanted to lark about and get a bit of attention. They were totally unappreciative of my red camellia.
That's cats for you!

12 comments:

  1. Your garden is looking particularly fine - I am getting frustrated with the weather which is so changeable at the moment - but it sounds like this weekend is going to be a good one. The cats are delightful.

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    1. I keep putting on my boots and my disreputable gardening jacket when there is a patch of clear sky. It's a sign for the heavens to open!
      The cats, brother and sister, live next door but seem to think that they live with me.

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  2. You have done quite a bit of work already and everything looks beautiful. We all know though, that a garderer's work is never done and Mother Nature is always playing nasty tricks on us.

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    1. I've cleared quite a bit of ground ready for planting and am itching to get things in the soil. But it is so wet, no point in having the seeds rot.
      When the sun shines it looks wonderful!

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  3. What beautiful garden photos! I can't believe your peonies have buds on them already -- ours haven't even emerged from the ground here in the American Midwest (the herbaceous ones). This is just the breath of real spring that I needed -- and cute cats too. Thanks! -Beth

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    1. Buds hold so much promise. I keep popping into the greenhouse just to gaze at 'Blue Moon', isn't she mouthwateringly beautiful!
      Hope things will soon be bursting into life for you in the Midwest, Beth.

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  4. Gosh your garden looks good!!! Hyde park is in bloom too and everyone looks happier.

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    1. Spring and autumn are my favourite times of year in London. I feel I'm overdue a visit!

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  5. Your garden is looking good and your cats are super.
    Merle.............

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    1. The cats aren't mine, Merle - they just think they are! They live next door but do a lot of, "Hey, you - a bit of attention, please!"

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  6. So nice to see what awaits us over the next month or so. Your garden looks beautiful!

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  7. What a wonderful garden - I love it. Spring in the garden is - with autum - the best time.

    Sigrun

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