April 2006

Amazing how at the end of this month, everything is coming into growth. The ash, Fraxinus excelsior has its flowers out before throwing its leaves. Fritillaria meleagris is flowering well in its second year - perhaps the moist clayey soil suits this plant. Erythronium revolutum are now probably a mixture of hybrids. Originally they were grown from wild collected seed from the Rockies in North America through the Alpine Garden Society in 1990. Only five years ago did they start flowering consistently and now they set seed which has self-germinated. The original colony has has to be moved from its original position near the house. It had become far too shaded by Rhododendrons so the decision was taken to move and split them. A wise move? we shall see.
The Skimmias are in full flower and are responsible for wafts of exotic scents throughout the whole garden. Skimmia 'Kew Green' is largely responsible. A group of Arisaema griffithii and A. speciosum are now growing rapidly and should be in flower in the next few days. Hostas in bud just a few days ago are now almost in full leaf. All the Polystichum species are unfurling their new fronds as are most of the other ferns in the garden (see the ferns link for photographs).