I'm reprising these photos, taken almost exactly a year ago, in The Savill Garden, part of Windsor Great Park, cosseted by Virginia Water. I must return there soon, before the strengthening winds strip the trees bare. I hope these pictures might convince you to put on your wellies and get out there too - or…
Trees
Cor blimey! luv-a-duck apples-and-pears…
The Wild Pear, Pyrus pyraster, blooming at Kew (above) Pyrus nivalis the Snow Pear, flowering in front of a group of Amelanchier (above) Amelanchier intermedia (above) Malus Laxton's Red (above and below) Malus Robert's Crab (above) Malus baccata Jackii (above) Malus halliana (above) Malus Laxton's Red (above) and the 'duck' in question... Crab-apples and wild…
Hanami – my very own Cherry Blossom Festival in Kew Gardens
A combination of recent warm weather, sunshine, light breezes and little rain combine to make the show of cherry blossom, just yesterday at Kew Gardens, beautiful. Crab-apples and wild pears, Amelanchier and the last of the magnolias were also in flower, but the cherries, by dint of the sheer exuberance of their display, won me…
Continue reading ➞ Hanami – my very own Cherry Blossom Festival in Kew Gardens
The most gorgeous, happiest little crab apple
I met this beautiful little tree this afternoon, the both of us positively basking in the warm sunshine and (the tree) having suffered not a jot with the chilly winds and hail we have had earlier this week. I don't know the cultivar but is an early-flowering variety, or has been chivvied along by the…
Continue reading ➞ The most gorgeous, happiest little crab apple
Little mices… the Kilmarnock Willow looking its furry best
The Kilmarnock Willow (Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock) is a beauty at this time of year - a weeping head of stems top-worked (grafted) onto a trunk - of short, medium or tall proportion - with long, straight trailing stems studded with silky furry dormice (catkins I mean). At other times of year I think you might…
Continue reading ➞ Little mices… the Kilmarnock Willow looking its furry best
Flower!
Further findings from my most recent walk through Kew Gardens (we've seen Bark!) and I hadn't expected to see much by way of trees in flower, this early in the season. Three specimens caught my eye. The Cornelian Cherry, Cornus mas, was putting on a delicate show, by the lake. bright but widely spaced clusters…
Bark!
A walk through Kew, enjoying a bright chill day that the BBC weatherman assured me would hold nothing but rain upon more rain. Plus there was a parking space by the Victoria Gate entrance, so there was no excuse to call in. My rules! I've recently explored (deep breath..) the woodland area by the Temple…

