Monday 6 April 2015

Birdsong and blooms

Bright mornings and birdsong........what a lovely way to start the day. 
 Planting tulips in pots has worked well.    Angelique is in bloom, one of my favourites.   Waiting in the wings is Red Passion.      
 Spring baskets have been filled with trailing violas.     
 Clematis Armandii now covers most of the ugly fence at the back of the garden.    Not recommended for small gardens or the feint hearted :) .........to say it is vigorous is an understatement.    I love it, the fragrance is beautiful and the flowers prolific.
 Pieris makes a fine display.    I catch its scent as I walk to the front door.   Usually it is covered in bees.
I never tire of wild violets.     They seed freely here.    Such pretty little flowers.   


The weather is slowly warming up.    Temperatures are around 10C (50F).     We had a frost last night, which did not surprise me.     I had covered tender plants, so all is well..............  

Enjoy your Spring garden.
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22 comments:

  1. Amanda Peters6 April 2015 at 08:38

    Beautiful set of photos , I like the shot of your Clematis..
    Amanda xx

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    1. Cheryl6 April 2015 at 08:49

      Tku Amanda......cannot tell you what I had to climb through to get that image :)

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  2. Jo6 April 2015 at 08:41

    We've had some beautiful weather over the last couple of days, it makes such a difference from the dull days and high winds we had last week and I've managed to get out in the garden and get some jobs done. Your tulips are beautiful, I'm still waiting for mine to flower, even one of my containers of daffodils aren't in flower yet but it's good that they're all flowering at different times extending the flowering period. Your pieris is looking stunning and I agree about the wild violets, they're such charming little flowers.

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    1. Cheryl6 April 2015 at 08:51

      I am glad to see the back of the high winds Jo. We had them for around ten days here.....ten days too long.

      I have still have daffodils in bud, though most are in bloom. Generally in the south they have finished by now. We are definitely having a late Spring . Lovely

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  3. Janneke 6 April 2015 at 11:27

    We had yesterday our first lovely warm and sunny day, about 10 degr.C., today a grey and dull day again. Your Clematis armandii looks wonderful and I that lovely fragrance...... Mine died 3 years ago due to heavy frost, they don´t like that. Wild violets are my favourite little fragrant flowers too, but we have to kneel down to smell it.

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    1. Cheryl7 April 2015 at 05:48

      The weather is certainly temperamental Janneke.
      I have planted the clematis armandii amongst evergreen to give it some protection. It has been with me for five years, and the garden is in a frost pocket. I am surprised it is still with me, long may it last....fingers crossed.

      Hope the sun shines for you soon.x

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  4. Lowcarb team member6 April 2015 at 14:55

    'Take time to smell the flowers' .....and take time to enjoy their wonderful colours - just add some wonderful birdsong and write a truly delightful post .... thank you.

    All the best Jan

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  5. Liz6 April 2015 at 14:59

    Hi Cheryl,

    Lovely!
    I've really enjoyed spending most of today in the garden (too hot at points, so had to come in around 1pm to cool off). Listening to the Blackbirds singing was lovely and really lifted my soul (and trying to ignore the children screaming and dog barking constantly. Don't usually have that round here, not sure where the dog is as I only know one dog on our road.)

    Waiting for the violets to open here

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    1. Cheryl7 April 2015 at 05:51

      Well Liz, screaming children and barking dogs are all part of life......that is why I moved to the country. At least when it is my Grandchildren running around laughing and Nella barking I cannot worry anyone........hope peace and quiet returns for you :)

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  6. Wendy6 April 2015 at 16:05

    How lovely to see spring flowers, Cheryl! I'm glad your angelique tulips are blooming nicely. They are one of my favourites too! I haven't tired growing in pots yet, maybe next year.
    I learn something every time I come here - did not know about clematis armandii smelling fragrant. I don't think the ordinary kind (is there an ordinary kind?) - the nice big violet blooms smell at all. And I've never heard of pieris. I will google it.
    Can't wait for flowers to come up here. Today we had snow. But warm temps are predicted for later on in the week.
    Late Easter and b-day greetings, Cheryl. April is a special month.

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    1. Cheryl7 April 2015 at 05:53

      I have grown tulips in pots to keep the rabbits away wendy. Every year they crop them in the borders, so have given up planting them there.

      You can keep snow Wendy ;0) It has been a long wet winter here, certainly enjoying the sunshine. Hope it comes your way soon.

      There are some special days in April I never forget Wendy.....and there are also tiny iris to remind me of certain people :)


      Enjoy Spring Wendy, it is but a breath away for you. X

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  7. Simon Douglas Thompson7 April 2015 at 02:49

    I'm loving the smell of flowering currant, really fresh and sharp

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    1. Cheryl7 April 2015 at 05:54

      I remember my father growing it in his garden.....I never liked it as a child but love it now :)

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  8. Hoehoegrow7 April 2015 at 05:54

    It just makes you feel glad to be alive! Some lovely photos of some fantastic spring flowers ! Loving your Armandii - I have one too but, it has no fragrance AT ALL! It is so frustrating to read about the strong fragrance they all have... but mine!

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  9. Cheryl7 April 2015 at 06:08

    Really Jane.....I am so surprised. The scent on mine is beautiful, I am really miffed as to why yours does not have any fragrance.

    Hmmmmmm

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  10. Lisa at Greenbow7 April 2015 at 16:21

    We are having a warm spell here. I have set out all our indoor plants. Probably a foolhardy thing to do so early. I was just tired of moving around them. I will be hovering over the weather channel watching for signs of frost. I will probably have to haul them all back inside. That is ok. Is that a thrush you have in the picture? We have a brown thrasher that looks similar. They have returned to our area for nesting. I do that at least once per year. ha... Your spring garden looks so good. I had a pieris in our garden. It must not have liked where it was or it was a minature. It didn't ever get over two foot tall. It would have those lovely panicles hanging down tho. Our neighbors dog ate it, which is one reason why she is not allowed in our garden anymore. Our magnolia started blooming yesterday. Spring is coming on...

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    1. Cheryl7 April 2015 at 23:55

      Hi Lisa,
      Gardeners tend to get over enthusiastic when warmer weather arrives. I include myself in that.
      Lets hope your weather stays fine and outdoor plants will not have to be moved :)

      Yes, it is a thrush, a mistle thrush I think. We have a pair in the garden.

      How can a dog eat such a large plant.....I have never known such a thing. Fascinating.
      Did it have to go to the vets or was it ok ??
      I empty the coffee pot beneath the plant every month. It keeps the soil just right for it.

      Love magnolia.............look forward to seeing yours in bloom.

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  11. elaine 8 April 2015 at 01:28

    Hi Cheryl
    I seem to have missed so many of your posts whilst I have been out of commission! I am not going to attempt to leave comments on them all - I am sure you will understand.

    I love that particular clematis - I always remark to the librarian at the local library at how lovely theirs looks scrambling over the railings - sadly I don't think my garden is big enough to accommodate one.

    There are so many things coming to life in the garden at the moment and it is always a nice surprise to see what bulbs are coming up where - I always seem to forget what I have planted overwinter. The weather is truly lovely at the moment - don't you just love this time of year.

    Enjoy the rest of the week my friend - p.s. My Camassia's are almost in bloom and they appear to be white even though the picture showed blue!

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    1. Cheryl9 April 2015 at 03:20

      Of course I understand Elaine....I just hope you are beginning to feel much better, especially now that the weather is warm.

      I always forget where I put bulbs....although I keep a journal I often forget to enter new plants. I used to be so religious about it :)

      Isn't that annoying when they say blue and they appear to be white............
      Mine are definitely blue...........I would have preferred white :)

      Enjoy the sunshine and take care Elaine.

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  12. Rose8 April 2015 at 06:46

    Angelique is one of my favorite tulips! Glad to see how well it is doing for you, Cheryl. I'm afraid my potted tulips didn't make it through the winter--I forgot to wrap them, and it's just too cold in pots for them here. I can't believe we have warmer temps than you! No frosty morns in awhile, but I'm sure we'll still have some frost before April is over...and maybe even early May. We're into rainy season this week, so I won't be able to get back into the garden for awhile. And next week we're going to be in Texas visiting my daughter and new grandson. I hope I don't miss the first tulips while I'm gone!

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  13. Cheryl11 April 2015 at 00:19

    Hi Rose,

    Tulips are difficult here due to the rabbit issue. It is wonderful to see them flowering in pots, although last night one mischievous bunny appears to have reached them and cropped a few ..........bad bunny !!

    The days have been pleasantly warm but nights frost or chilly..............

    Have a wonderful time with daughter and baby.....what a joy Rose.

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