Snow in April

Whilst a kaleidoscope of tulips and daffodils run ribbons through tiered beds, garnet studded japonica branches overlap orange-scented osmanthus blooms to form a windbreak along the flint.  The air is refreshing air under steel-blue skies,  just for a moment it's tempting to believe that the time for winter gloves and mittens is in the past.  But within moments the snow clouds roll in overhead, shocking the tender, innocent flower heads!

The language of flowers is subtle, quite understated; but their feelings are clear to all who stop to spend a moment in their company.  Petals contract in shock as the sharp arctic blasts sear across the pond, burning the pretty pastel bonnets of spring garden visitors.  Our woodland amphitheatre hosts a  Shakespearian gala fit for the Globe; an exciting performance of comedy, tragedy and romance!  And for now it appears that the winter stars from Act one are determined the make cameo appearances in Act two. The drama unfolds...

Betty to the Rescue!

Watching weather systems playing with the light in the garden is a favourite pastime. This morning, I was privileged to observe Ash leaves, bathed in sparkling sunlight, tentatively unfurling tender fingers as they emerged from their bud-cocoons.  Imagine their shock, when only moments later, pea sized hailstones pelted down from the skies, ricocheting on the dusty path.  In an instant, the balmy temperature turned icy!

 Standing high on the hill above the woods and facing west, it is possible to watch the storm clouds as they advance across the channel, their bulk turning the water matt-grey.  With an Arctic front advancing, it is difficult, even with the mod-cons and weather apps, to predict and plan the gardening day.  Even more challenging, in addition to navigating the turbulent weather fronts, our plants and trees are having to deal with imported diseases.  What a relief to read this weekend, that a 200-year old Ash tree in Norfolk, called Betty, appears to be immune to Chalara Ash-dieback; a predatory fungus predicted to deplete up to 50% of our native woodlands.  Her immunity, when genetically identified, will help to protect our native trees and the wildlife that depend on the humble ash for survival.  Living in the middle of an Ash wood, we care passionately about our woodland friends: wood mice, bullfinches,wrens, blue-tits, bats and beetles, who together with the flora and fauna have enough to contend with as it is!

Beetles in Leather

Our unseasonal winter has resulted in some exceptional activity in the natural world.

Leatherjackets, the rockers of the insect world, have faired well in our temperate winter climate, surviving the short, dark days into spring.  Recent damp conditions have encouraged these little fellows closer to the surface of our garden lawns; a delicious banquet for their predators but a disaster for gardeners. Swathes of tobacco lawn are developing where fresh grass roots are being severed by the birds dining a la carte; crunchy side salad to accompany the leatherjacket protein.  What a palaver at the beginning of the season, a significant development on the annual moss cull and scarifying frenzy that usually typifies the end if April!

A Celebration of Colour and Scent

There it is again, just ahead of me, on the air... elusive, a mere suggestion, I wonder if I am simply imagining?  But no, there it is again, hovering like a humming bird around the edge of my nostrils, teasing me, tempting me, drawing me forward.  A Thumperesque twitch sets the senses in motion, triggering nerve synapses, revitalising my system; vision sharps whilst shoulders relax, the quest intensifies as I scour the hedgerows for the source of this intoxicating scent.

Buds of Mai form parasols over newborn lambkins nestling close to their mothers in grass;  all the while the scent flickers on the breeze, teasing me...  Then without warning, the purveyor slips into focus, peeking just above the camouflage of the wild garlic, the lapis bonnet of a native bluebell sways gently on the breeze.

As my eyes attune to the hue of blue, I notice that these harbingers of Spring are ribboning along the coppiced path, stretching their graceful necks towards the shards of sunlight piercing the emerging overhead-canopy.  The fanfare of royal blue announces the arrival Spring, the season of sunshine and showers, and celebrates the 90th Birthday of our Queen!

April Showers

What a wonderful combination; showers and sunshine, now that April has arrived.  Perfect conditions to encourage new growth;  bald, deciduous climbers now sport breeches of lime green shoots.
This morning, a symphony of birdsong drew my sights high above the woodland canopy, to the ice-blue sky.  It was there that I spied a crown of Buckthorne  in full flower; a profusion of delicate blossom displayed on dark thorny branches.  In a bid for survival, amongst the suffocating crop-pines, this steely tree had forced its head high above the neighbouring canopy to bask in the sun's rejuvenative rays.  As soon as the hedgerows fill with Mai, the precursor of our delicious sloe berries, it's a sure sign that spring is in full swing!

There is a gentle hand-over between the winter torch bearers; Heather and Hellebore, and the spring's jaunty new arrivals; Blossom and Daffodil.  The garden runs her own Olympics each year, botanical athletes performing, under varying conditions, to achieve a personal best!  It's always close run, and entirely subjective, but this year the Hellebores have taken the Gold!

Nuin Ash

Being a woodland garden, the trees, in and around us, have a huge impact.  Untouched for decades, the soil is fertile; rich in nutrients that allow complex root systems to thrive.

Small saplings develop, gaining majesty and gravitas as the years pass by.  Here, the distinctive bark of the Ghost Tree provides a textured backdrop to the Lent Lillies; small, native wild daffodils which love to naturalise in the grass under trees and in deciduous woodland.  Ash saplings burst forth with abandon in our hillside micro-climate and one, once tiny sapling, now towers high above the copper beech which, until last year, cut a distinctive silhouette on the summer skyline.  The Beech cannot match the vigour of the Ash.  Signs of the tree's distress are clearly visible; pale washed out leaves on unbalanced branches blocked from sunlight by the Ash canopy.  In ancient tree lore, the Ash represents the linking of the inner and outer worlds; macrocosm and microcosm.  It is interesting to see nature illustrating this concept with such simplicity, but in the language of the trees it is clear that the space is too small for both to thrive.  With heavy hearts we have decided to allow the Beech space to develop its full potential; the tree surgeon is booked this morning to fell its companion.

Unexpectedly, there has been a stay of execution for the Ash; the arbourculturist has severed a tendon in his hand over the weekend.  So for now, we'll carry on as before, letting Nature take her course.

Hail the Heatwave

Crazy weather patterns seem to be dominating our first days of British summer time.  If we are struggling, even with the help of all our gadgets and forecasts, imagine how the flora & fauna in our natural world are coping.  Branches laden with buds, just waiting to burst, risk frost burn and worse from the intemperate climate.  Today, London is predicted to be hotter than Ibiza and Barcelona, I wonder what the horse chestnut flowers will make of this?  Poking their beautiful flower heads out of lime buds, they will unfurl their tender petals, encouraged by the sun's warm rays.  And then, just as they relax and adjust, the icy northerly wind will whip round the corner and rip through the delicate sepals.

We are lucky in this country to experience the full range of seasons; from the stark silhouettes of winter to the soft hues of summer.  Every day there are changes in the trees and flowers, free for us all to enjoy and, in my view, more wondrous and exciting than any Hollywood blockbuster!