A WEEK IN MY GARDEN 28 MARCH

The Magnolias are in full bloom.  The recent sunny weather has helped bring them out, but looking back at my blog over the last five or so years they seem to reliably flower at the end of March. How beautiful they look, and we have no frosts forecast so they will stay looking beautiful for a while yet.

Magnolia Soulangeana

I've included this photo before, but I couldn't resist including it once again.  It was taken not long after we moved here and shows a eucalyptus tree being removed from next to that Magnolia, which had grown lopsided as a result. You can see the magnolia in flower on the left.  The eucalyptus is still there, pollarded annually at a more suitable height.  How time flies though.  That little blond haired child with her back to the camera is now an adult with a child of her own.

Along the front terrace, the tulips are flowering in the urns.  The planting in the terrace urns in usually a tasteful symphony in white, this year has been more colourful.  The tulip is Concerto, and I've not grown it before.  I thought a shorter one would be more sturdy in these planters.

Down in the woods the while daffodil, Thalia, is flowering.  These are planted in 'drifts' as recommended by Gertrude Jekyll.  Her 'drifts' are shaped like a long thin fish, wider in the middle and tapering towards each end.

It's supposed to give a fuller impression than planting them in a group closer together.  Over the last few years, I've added primroses to the edge of the woodland.

While I was taking these photos I was stalked by the cat who scampered up trees, photobombed my daffodil close ups and generally indicated that he NEEDED to be included in the blog.  So he is (as I am putty in his hands).

Thalia - The photo I was trying to take when the cat appeared

The next flower I have is a surprise.  Magnolias and daffodils we expect in March, but Roses?  That is unexpected.

Rosa Blush Noisette

With rose buds

So that's what is flowering this week, but what have I been doing?  Apart from the usual weeding that seems unending this time of year, I potted on the first of the tomato seedlings.  I've been staring at the seedlings of other plants willing them to get on and grow, but they aren't listening.  I hope they are putting their energy into developing a good root system.

I also planted two new climbing roses.  I know, you don't need to remind me that I wasn't going to buy any more roses, but I just thought that a couple of climbing roses on the house walls were just what was needed.  I have a red one, Danse du Feu and apricot coloured Alister Stella Gray.  I've planted them and I'll let you know how they get on.

That's all from me for this week.  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and I hope to see you again next week.  Until then, happy gardening.