Focussing on spring flowers.

Now the vernal equinox is upon us there is little doubt that spring is here, and not a moment too soon! Ahead of us are even longer, warmer and brighter days with waves of colourful new growth appearing in gardens and throughout our countryside. Seemingly, it’s been a longer winter than usual, and definitely a wetter one, but now we’re beyond the worst of it, surely, and should be looking forward to the treats ahead with anticipation.

Whilst the spring outlook remains rosy, you don’t need me to remind you that there’s no guarantees where good weather is concerned, so do proceed with an air of caution. If we’re to endure a few more ‘off’ days though, even some visits from Jack Frost, we can at least rest assured that the 2024 growing season is officially underway, and indeed, there’s nothing we can do to stop the floral flow now, just grin and enjoy it!

Since the dawn of the new year, we’ve been charmed by drifts of snowdrops along roadside verges and in gardens, where their presence is always eagerly awaited and welcomed. Even before snowdrops began to fade though, our eyes were being challenged, pulled upwards to feast upon clouds of cherry plum blossom lighting up hedgerows and gardens. Cherry trees won’t stop there however, so try if you can to immerse yourself in the Hanami season and its colour across the next few weeks, and if you can’t get out just now, try searching up the hashtag ‘blossomwatch’, where you’ll be in for a visual treat!

Along with cherry trees, daffodils are beaming cheerily now, tulips are coming along nicely too, and with a few of my own favourite primroses thrown-in for good measure, maybe the odd hellebore, there’s little more we could ask of a spring interest garden. Okay, so maybe there’s a few more little additions, like a shade popping Japanese quince or large magnolia filled with fist-sized flowers, a bright drift of crocus through a verdant lawn or path side shrubbery bordered by sweet scented Daphne. Oh yes, we could always wish for more!

Casting our minds back briefly to the short winter days then, it’s easy to think that our outside spaces were a little gloomy and bland. I like to think though, that from the first winter aconites and snowdrops to now, in just a pocketful of weeks, flowers never really left us at all. If therefore as the busyness of the new year grows, that it all seems a bit much, or for whatever reason your mood dips, focus on the flowers I say, for they never really left us, and they never will: flowers will always see you through.

Gary Webb, Gardening Ways