I see the blackthorn is coming into flower now, and looking very nice in some hedges next to the cherry blossom, a kind of white and pink froth against the black boughs. But yeah, freezing!
This is interesting, here in middle England, it has taken until the beginning of this week for the cherry blossom to appear.
Another glorious day and the leaves on the trees have only started to appear this week too, and the later 'leafers' eg. ash, oak and poplar, are still bare.
The fields are sooo dry, poor farmers. There are water-spraying machines of all kinds everywhere. In some places, where I was walking today, the ground is so parched it is cracked. And it's been like this for a while now.
Please, some rain, preferably at night! Thank you.
The magnolias are now in full bloom - wonderful sight ....... quite late, as well.
Yes, we seem to have gone from monsoon weather to ultra-dry. Several of my yuccas have died, their stems had rotted, because of all the rain I guess. But now everywhere is looking parched again.
Still, some glorious weather. We are predicting a fine May and June, and then heavy rain in July and August, just in time for the holidays.
Magnolias were wonderful this year - there are about 10 of them in my street in London, both the normal kind, and the star.
Another plant I am raving about is the pieris japonica, one of my neighbours has one, and it has white flowers with red early leaves, and together they are stunning. Must buy one. Warning: poisonous.
Botanical note: this plant has pseudo-leaflets; not a lot of people know that.
Just realized, they are part of the heath family, therefore don't like lime. My part of Norfolk is fairly alkaline, so would have to grow in tubs, etc.
