Bounding into Spring

Have you begun to notice the first signs of Springtime arriving?  We have at Holly Grove. 

Daffodils, blossom, burgeoning buds and even a some early tulips are appearing at Holly Grove. And the Handyman spent yesterday planting out one thousand (yes that's right, I did say 1,000) snowdrops in the green to add to next year's display.

I so love this time of year as we emerge from the dark days of Winter into the changing days of Spring.  Weatherwise Spring has been an unpredictable season in the UK over the past few years, from midsummer temperatures to snow in April and May. 

So although March has been mild, and even warm on occasional days, I'll have to keep my urge to plant seeds in the kitchen garden under control and content myself with Spring weeding and sowing under glass in the greenhouse.  Still plenty to be going on with...oh, and there are one hundred winter aconites (again bought in the green) to be planted somewhere in the woodland borders...fun, fun, fun!

First Blossom of Spring

pretty, pretty

Over the past few days I've been watching the emergence of the first spring blossom in our garden.  There's a small ornamental cherry (we think it's Prunus Kanzan) that we inherited sitting in the circles garden and every year it provides us with the first sign of spring; the soft pink flowers create a joyful haze and a hope of the end of winter - hurrah!

Ladybird, Ladybird

I've spent a lot of time in the garden over the past few days making the most of the mild weather and the last few days of recreation before I start my new job next week.  The thing that has most struck me is the huge number of ladybirds around the place. 

A real pleasure to see so many, they should help keep down the greenfly population, though I'm wondering what has caused such a population surge?