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…

Batty about Bedding

Primulas and violas, anemones and all manner of potted spring bulbs are colouring the nursery benches these days, bright jewel colours, soft pastels, every possible rainbow hue. Check out my recent tweets for plenty more contenders, perfect for lifting the spirits and invigorating spring container displays.

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…

February made me shiver….

I am dreaming of Spring, mostly. There is a great deal to admire in February so I worry that we might wish the month away without appreciating what is looking - or giving - its best right now, or the quiet simplicity of our gardens stripped bare of all of the spring and summer fireworks…

Teddington Gardener Review of the Year – May 2014 – Kew Gardens, Composting, Auriculas, the first Roses, Wild Food Foraging, Chelsea Fringe and Chelsea Flower Show, Petersham Nurseries. Intimations of Summer.

Roses, amazingly early, appreciating the mild winter and warm, early Spring. Kew Gardens, Auriculas, Paeonies, Chelsea Fringe and a brief call in at the Chelsea Flower Show, more roses, much at Petersham Nurseries, Wild Food foraging with Claudio Bincoletto, the Joy of Composting... another glorious month!

Teddington Gardener Review of the Year – April 2014 – RHS London Show, Kew Gardens, Ightham Mote, Knole, Emmetts Garden & Petersham Nurseries. Spring in full spate.

  A colourful progression through the month, featuring Wisley, Igtham Mote, Knole, Petersham Nurseries, RHS London Show, Kew Gardens, my own projects featuring Spring Bulbs and new planting..... Flowering Cherries, Crab Apples, massed Tulips, Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Bluebells, Auriculas.... a gorgeous month.

Teddington Gardener Review of the Year – March 2014 – Kew and Wisley, The Savill Garden and Petersham Nurseries. Spring advances.

My first March visit to Kew Gardens A purchase of a very brilliant little machine - scarifying and aerating the lawn with ease... My first March visit to Kew Gardens - taking in the Pagoda, Chokushi-mon Japanese Landscape, the Xstrata and some of the arboretum. My first week at Petersham Nurseries, at the beginning of…

The Darling Buds of May – the first Alliums, fragrant Roses, lilac, flashy tulips and buttercup fields –

Alliums and ironwork in the Cutting Garden at Petersham Nurseries - elsewhere the first of the roses coming into flower - so many more in furious bud; I had to wait until July last year for the first roses to bloom - March was so bitterly and consistently chill, day and night, that the whole…