Simple pleasures: signs of spring

Despite it being cold today, the sun shone brightly and the whole garden looked as if it was thinking of waking up. My tiny clump of snowdrops is in full flower, my helebores are pushing their heads out of the earth and my clematis armundi -my absolute favourite spring flower- is just budding.

I love this bit of the year when you notice the days getting longer and everyday something new is awake in the garden. Normally I'd be rushing to the phone to compare gardening notes with my mum, but she died last year and now I find I have to have these conversations in my head. 

Living in my warm London micro climate I would always be slightly ahead of her more exposed Wiltshire garden. She would always be amazed at my early budding magnolias and spring blossom, we'd compete fiercely over the magnificence of our oriental poppies -particularly the Patty's Plum which she would coax many more blooms out of than I ever could, with sweet peas and runner beans she was the undisputed queen. So being slightly ahead on timing was about as good as it got for me and I miss her encouraging words  Spring is still looking good though.

Comments

[Becky]

I really envy you in the UK Spring and Autumn - here in Oman we just get hot or not quite as hot ! It's chilly today with an early morning temperature of 19 degrees C !

I am so sorry to hear about your Mum - when I was living in the UK I always loved to compare gardening notes with my Mum too - and although my Mum is still around I can no longer compare notes with her as I live in a vastly differenct climate - and I miss that enormously.

[amanda]

Thanks Becky, I love the fact that as soon as I posted this we had a fresh dump of snow! I felt a bit silly but actually the sun is really shining so despite the cold spring is definitely on the way. I am quite envious of the Oman warmth today, although I can imagine how you miss those seasonal changes. Axx

[The Galloping Gardener]

Lovely to be thinking of spring during this terrible cold snap in Europe and the US!

[Electronic Cigarette]

I cant wait for the warm weather to peak its head again.