A little early May tour around RHS Wisley – Rockery, Woodland and Rockery again…

A tour through the Surrey gardens of RHS at Wisley, taking us from the entrance (and before we even get going we have to stop and gawk at the Clianthus Kaka King!) before skirting along above the water lily pond to see the Wisteria and Roses enjoying the warmth of a long brick wall -…

Kew Gardens – some other stuff that isn’t a Prunus… Cornus nuttallii, Cercis siliquastrum, Viburnum carlesii @kewgardens #springwatching

Cornus x nuttallii x florida It was cherry-heaven all the way this morning, especially as I hadn't planned on calling in and my time was short, and the cherries were the thing. Though I rather begrudged the fact that it was cloudy and grey - I'd hoped to call in on Thursday at the tail…

My own personal and private Hanami – Cherry Blossom Festival at Kew @kewgardens #CherryBlossom #Hanami

I had to rearrange my commitments this morning which gave me an unexpected hour or two to call into Kew Gardens to investigate the Cherry Blossom. An early visit meaning I was the first to park outside the Victoria Gate and one of the first to go through the gates.I was guaranteed the Cherry Walk…

The best of the rest from RHS Wisley; a grand Stachyurus, a great Edgworthia chrysantha Grandiflora and a huge Fuji Cherry, Corylopsis (2), many Corydalis and Camellias and other Woodland Stars plus the Plant Centre (see the Fritillaria meleagris & persica Ivory Bells) …! @RHSWisley #Wisley #SpringAtWisley

Stachyurus chinensis, a beautiful golden rain next to the House at RHS Wisley, looking across to the Lily Pond, past the King and Queen.. An exceptional specimen this, spicily fragrant and with larger flowers than the common-or-garden variety - there is one Ordinary specimen next to the Stachyurus pictured above that is going over now,…

A kaleidoscope of colour, coming to a garden near you…

So much colour exploding in our gardens now that winter is loosening its grip and Spring is given a chance - longer days, some sunshine but still chill nights and cool temperatures yet ... the sap is rising, buds are bursting into leaf and blossom and the woodland floor is a bright mosaic of primroses,…

A gander at some star attractions at Kew Gardens today

The Chokushi-mon and Japanese Landscape at Kew Gardens today Chaenomeles speciosa adding some bright scarlet highlights to the many greens of the Japanese Landscape. Iris unguicularis elsewhere adds bright blue elsewhere in the scheme. Green, however, is the unifying theme. Prunus cerasifera is one of the first trees to come into blossom - you might…

The Savill Garden, fragrant, fizzing with colour and all set for Spring

Rhododendrons like this amazing Choremia Tower Court, blazing in the sunshine this afternoon in The Savill Garden within the greater Windsor Great Park - made this a fine choice for a walk, through these extensive gardens before exploring further into The Royal Landscape to search out the Jubilee Horse and the Copper Horse, with views…

White, yellow, pink – three colours Spring

Pure white crocus, streaked with lilac and tufts if egg-yolk-gold Narcissus Jetfire, a strong sturdy, early narcissus, excellent for naturalising in grass. Primroses coming to the party now too - all manner of colours but I always revert to these more natural tones, if not the original species. Coronilla valentina glauca Citrina - compact evergreen…

What did I say about February? Tricky already…. A Snow/No Snow day

A light dusting of snow in the woods around Ham, though at home in Teddington there was enough for a serious game of snowballs between the children heading to school. (below) The churchyard at St. Peter's Church by Petersham Nurseries. While the Cutting Garden, while not exactly deep and crisp and even, had a wintery…