Two buds appearing above the water

Eventually the buds will open and this will be the result. They add a touch of exotic colour to the pond which is essentially made up of shades of green at this time of year.

Water lily

At the bottom of the garden we have a large Eucalyptus tree. I think it is going to have to go because it will soon be too large for the garden and it seems to be absorbing all the moisture from the soil. Many of the plants nearby are suffering including my ferns. I was baffled to see that one fern was suffering more than the others. It was lying completely flat.

Then I discovered the reason why.

Cozzie takes a nap

She opened one eye when I complained, then yawned and went back to sleep.

Bird feeder

Oddly enough the birds do not appreciate this and spend half their time throwing the “rubbish” seed  onto the ground in their search for choice sunflower seeds. This results in a lot of mysterious mixed greenery at the foot of the feeders and in the borders nearby.

Mysterious greenery

The grasses can be quite pretty but I would not want them seeding everywhere – that way lies chaos and swamped plants!

Unknown grass

Another unknown

Most of it I pull up. But occasionally there is a pleasant surprise. The birds must have dropped some of the Sunflower seeds.

Sunflowers

And I get the benefit.

Sunflower

Once the seeds develop on the flower, the birds will have another feeding station…..and  the circle of life will continue.

Wisteria florabunda, Cercis siliquastrum and Eucalyptus parviflora

It seems I have to do very little. Does a garden even need a gardener if results are as good as this?

Enkianthus perulatus

Some plant pairings even happen by accident when a wild flower drops into the garden. I could not have done better myself.

Forget-Me Not (Myosotis sylvatica) and Ophiopogon planiscarpus 'Nigrescens'

I have even discovered that Tulips can be very attractive – even tall ones. I have only grown small species ones up to now. Gardening prejudices are often hard to overcome and can last years!

Tulipa 'Andre Rieu'

Perhaps the garden does not need me at all? I get out the garden chairs and sit down. What is that over there? Oh no…my peace is destroyed…the garden is tormenting me. I go and get a trowel and a fork while the garden gives a satisfied laugh. It knows how to keep a gardener on her toes.

Dandelion in seed and Welsh Poppy

Fritillaria meleagris

They come in reddish purple….

Fritillaria meleagris

Fritillaria meleagris

Fritillaria meleagris

….and white.

Fritillaria meleagris

Both are very, very beautiful and I have several clumps around the garden. For me they seem to do best in shady areas or where the soil does not dry out for long periods over the summer. It is a real gem of a flower.

Plants brave the open air

I then started potting up tomato seedlings and noticed that the pot in the centre had six seedlings instead of the expected three. Hmmm! Then  I found I was missing a pot for my Tomato ” Black Sea Man”. Where had those seeds gone? I was sure I had planted some.

Tomato seedlings

Gardening blooper number 1 – Oh no…I had planted two varieties in one pot. Duh! Now I won’t know which is which until they grow bigger.

I am thinking about this  while I weeded the garden borders. The mind has to do something while the hands are busy. I took advantage of the sun and managed to tidy up a couple of areas. The black  pots in front of this one contain Alliums which need planting out once I find some space for them. I had better hurry up as they are growing very fast.

Conservatory border

The large green shrub by the garage is a Grevillia ‘ Canberra Gem’ which will soon be covered with small red flowers that the bees adore.

Garage border

More and more Spring flowers are appearing, including one of my favourite blue ones.

Scilla sibirica

As well as the ever reliable Ipheions which come in white, pink or a very pale blue.

Ipheion 'Alberto Castillo'

There are the flowers I almost miss unless I look closely. One of the advantages of hand weeding.

Hacquetia epipactis

And one wild flower I always look forward too as it seeds itself all over the borders.

Viola odorata

Now I am wondering….if I breathe in deeply….it will be summer by the time I have breathed out?

Some of the Hellebores are pink.

Hellebore bed

Hellebore x hybridus

Pink comes in so many shades.

Primula 'Maria Talbot' (allionii hybrid)

Chionodoxa 'Pink Giant'

Ipheion uniflorum 'Charlotte Bishop'

The last one is a bit of a cheat as the flowers are white when they open. But the bud is pink on the outside so I am including it in this post.

Who can resist a Sanguinaria as it rises from the earth wrapped in its leaves like a fan dancer on stage. A real beauty this one.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Thanks to Katarina at Roses and Stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Visit her to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

I have been away for a few days and have come back to warmer weather and sunshine. On my return I discovered that a number of flowers have bloomed for the first time this year. Just in time for this weeks post!

Chionodoxa

Narcissus 'Tete-a-Tete'

Erythronium dens-canis

Ranunculus ficaria var aurantiacus

There is now quite a variety of colours in the garden. For that I am eternally grateful. I need colour – it is like a drug!

Thanks to Katarina at Roses and Stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Visit her to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Greek wild flower

Greek wild flower

The last one is rather blurred I’m afraid.

Greek wild flower

Any help would be appreciated.

On the other hand we do have sun and a blue sky.

Blue sky

More flowers coming  into bloom.

Helleborus x hybridus (Yellow and Green)

Helleborus x hybridus Ballard (Blue)

And more insects appearing. In the greenhouse I found a large Bumblebee. Admittedly it was a very annoyed Bumblebee as it had flown inside, found the surroundings distinctly lacking in flowers and had to spend 5 minutes angrily buzzing till it found the way out.

Bumblebee

Things are definitely getting better. Now I need a warm sunny day so that I can start real gardening instead of half hearted pottering.