A WEEK IN MY GARDEN 4 APRIL - DAFFODILS AND TULIPS

I've got to mention the weather.  It's been so sunny, rather windy ,but most of all dry.  It means I've been able to get out in the garden every day (GOOD) but have rather neglected everything else.  Still, we must make the most of the good weather while it is here.

We start this weeks garden stroll in the Knot Garden to see the tulips.  The tulips were planted here about six years ago. Those in the damper side of the garden haven't lasted but on the drier side, they are still coming up each year.  Since I'm always on the lookout for varieties that will be long lasting, I've popped the name of these down below.  If you have any ones that have come back year on year I'd love to know what they are.

I love the colour of Apricot Pride.  

The one below is Tulip Recreado.

If your taste in tulips leans towards the species, then perhaps you would like this little sweetie.  It is Tulip Humilis Persian Pearl.  You won't realise, but when I'm writing this I'm up and down like a yo-yo looking up the names of these varieties.  It's so important to keep good records of everything you add to the garden. 

One day I'll start doing that.

Talking of adding things to the garden, these arrived this week from J Parkers -  Loads of bare roots of Monarda and Phlox plus some Achillea, Delphiniums, Heleniums and Lily bulbs.  They are mainly intended for the Long Border to top up areas which have depleted over the last few years.

They've been potted up and put in the greenhouse for now.  What with all the seedlings, it's looking quite full in there.

Outside the back door are some pansies in yellow and a rich deep bronze.  It's a change from the blues and purples I usually choose, and I'm enjoying them a lot.

There are more cheerful yellow flowers in the Rose Garden where the daffodils planted by a previous owner make a broad sweep through the borders and lawns.

Each variety grows in a small clumps.  I've picked out a few of my favourites.  I seem to favour those with the shorter cups.

Also in the rose garden, this week I lifted and divided a large clump of Aster Dark Desire, which then necessitated moving other plants around to make space for the new divisions.  But they all found a new home and hopefully will look splendid in September.  Once that was done ,the mulch could be put down.  I use Strulch to supress weeds as well as lock in moisture.  In a few months time all the plants make it hard to get in to weed these beds.  

There are more daffodils and tulips in the Front Garden, where the theme is mainly white.  I hesitate to call it a 'White Garden' as that has possibly become a bit of a cliche (but it is a white garden).

Tulip 'Exotic Emperor' grows amongst Oriental Hellebores in shades of pink and white.

Dwarf White daffodils 'Narcissus 'Sailboat', are planted amongst the white tulips.

Aside from admiring the flowers and taking photos, and potting up that large plant order, I also had this gift of a bucket of Cyclamen hederifolium from my Dad's garden.  These have been added to the woodland garden where one day there will be magical swathes of pink and purple flowers like those I saw at Anglesey Abbey. That's one of the best things about gardening; dreaming of what is to come.

 That's all I have for you this week.  Thank you for taking the time to read this week's round up and I hope you have a great week of gardening where you are.