Early Spring Garden

The spring equinox took place on Wednesday 20th March marking the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere.

The crocuses are fading, the tulips flourishing, and the sound of lawnmowers fills the air as people eagerly embark on the first grass-cutting session of the year. Gardeners begin the dance of hardening off plants they've protected over winter.

With noticeably longer hours of daylight, the prospect of enjoying our gardens in the evening becomes a reality, which is a welcoming sign for many.

Spring holds the promise of an abundance of flowers. Yet, as we've just entered this vibrant season, most plants are still in the process of putting on new growth, preparing to bloom later in the season or even during the summer months.

But not everything is waiting in the wings; a few early superstars have already taken the stage with their open blooms. Among them, anemones (Anemone coronaria) steal the spotlight in my garden with their stunning hues of colour. I grew these from corms that I planted in the autumn. I kept these in my greenhouse until mid-winter when I planted them in the ground. Anemones are half-hardy, so tolerant of some frost.

The crocuses have finished their yearly display, and most daffodils have followed suit. Yet, in my garden, there's still one variety of daffodils gracing the scene, boasting multiple small flower heads on each stem with a strong scent, which I love!

Below, I've added some pictures of plants around the garden. Some are in bloom while others are putting on new growth.

It's not all about the smaller flowering plants in spring. In early spring, hedges begin to transform. Whether evergreen or deciduous, hedges can be an attractive focal point in the garden.

Now is the time that Reb Robins (Photinias) put on their new growth of bright red foliage. They provide such contrast amongst green foliage hedges, making them an excellent addition to any garden.

Although the Forsythia began flowering in late winter, they now have a mix of new green foliage and yellow flowers, making them true head turners and providing that true spring feeling to the garden.

Laurel is a common sight in many gardens due to its dense foliage that acts as an excellent screen for privacy. In addition to the large glossy green leaves, laurels produce flowers blooming this time of the year.

I hope you enjoyed this update on what's happening in my garden in early spring.

Early spring is an exciting time of awakening and promise.

With the risk of frost nearly past us, it will soon be time to plant out some of the tender plants I've been protecting in the greenhouse. As the days grow longer and the soil warms, I look forward to seeing my garden flourish with new life and colour.