Making plans. Worcestershire.

I love this time of the year. My garden looks a little scruffy in places as things start to die back. Tidying up in the garden is so satisfying as you know it will stay looking great for months.

On top of that the spring bulbs and winter bedding are in the shops. Lidl is particularly brilliant for bulbs this week. A very satisfactory morning spent planting bargain bulbs means I am looking forward to more hyacinths, tulips, crocus, and allium next spring. Deep joy.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths 

The hyacinth looks so close to ready.

Two days later

Another two days

Hyacinths are quite an old fashioned flower, which have been out of fashion since forever. I love them. They may look rather odd, like maybe your Grandmother crocheted them. I grow them in my gardens, all the different colours. They look a little odd and out of place but the scent is just so beautifully delicious. As delightful as bluebells, just a stronger version.

Finally ready and smelling great

Originally from the Mediterranean and named after Hyakinthos, a young boy accidentally killed by the god Apollo in a discuss throwing competition. Apollo would not allow Hades to claim Hyakinthos's body, and instead Apollo used his remains to create the flower from.

Smelling so delicious

In the 18th century in the Netherlands new colours of denser flower spikes with more deeply fragrant scent were developed. Before then they were all a turquoise blue colour.

Even my cat loves them

Brilliant bulbs, Great Malvern, Worcestershire.

Daffodils in Rose Bank Garden, Great Malvern

Crocus

 Bulbs are brilliant. No matter what you throw at them bulbs seem to flower regardless. The snow and record cold temperatures this country has suffered have not dimmed them. As the first brilliance in the year they are more valued than ever this year. A stroll around my garden this morning I found daffodils and crocus looking like fallen solid sunshine. The hyacinths are not quite there yet but soon they will not only be adding their bright sparkle, but perfuming the air around them with the sweetest of floral scents.

Hyacinth, almost open

In Great Malvern the early daffodil bed are also in standing in perfect brilliance. The later flowering examples are not quite there yet, but as they stand in front of a wide rhododendron bed I am rather hoping the two will flower together.

There are bulbs not just for spring, but for summer and autumn too. In my garden there are many tulips, allium and lilies. Although I have many brighter colour tulips, I find the deep purple of the variety Queen of the Night, the most long last flower and robust of the tulips. It combines in late spring and early summer, with my allium to look fantastic. I also love the sheer spectacular variety and deep intense perfume from the lillies that are datted around my garden. 

Purple Allium, (2012)

Never, however hot or cold and/or wet or dry a year has been, have any of these wonderful bulbs failed to put on a most beautiful display. 

Tulip Q of N (2012)

White Allium (2012)

Yellow Lily (2012)

Daffodils, not quite open, with rhododendrons behind.

April wasteland, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire.

Lovely shaped tree

The most mistletoe covered tree around

 Inspired by

"The Wasteland


April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain
Winter kept us warm covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little with dried tubers.

TS Eliot 1922"

This year however the forgetful snow seems to have forgotten to leave.

The hour has moved forward into summertime, and with it our thoughts. No longer are we content to wear the heavy coat that stilted both our movement and out spirit. Awakening from the winter sleep of apathy and dull listlessness I find I want ti sing. I want to feel the warm sun on my limbs, and the soft caress of the hyacinth scented air. Like the bud I am eager to embrace life.

Too short in this life are we young enough to embrace all that our bodies are capable of, and old enough to value the day. On the starting block of the seasons of growth, flower and fruitfulness we find ourselves limbering up for the race of our lives.

Happily today, although the mornings are sharp and frosty, finally some warmth from the sun is reaching us in Worcestershire, and the skies are jewel blue and beautiful.

The still snow covered Malvern Hills

Interesting trees and sky