Camera On Test

I have been loaned a Fuji XT1 camera to see if it takes improved photos as our existing Olympus camera is now 15 years old. This is medieval in digital camera world!
So see what you think of these photos, are they better?

The first one shows our lawn just after cutting today.

The marsh marigolds are nearly in full flower

Magnolia Lionel Messel still going strong!

A close up to test camera in macro mode!

Magnolia campbellii

Visited a friend nearby to admire his magnificent specimen of Magnolia campbellii in full flower. Its normally at home in Cornwall where it is warmer but as you can see it is thriving here in Norfolk.

The same garden has over 300 species/cultivars of hydrangeas so will try to get some pictures later this year for the blog.

More Colours of Spring and a New Seat!

 The Magnolia loebneri x Leonard Messel is putting on its usual fabulous display. For several years I thought it was a form of stellata until a friend put me right!!

A new bench has arrived to replace the metal one which has rusted badly and is no longer stable. It is of the classic Lutyens design and suits our arbour structure.

Bergenias are always reliable and this one is called Morgenrote and has lasted nine years so far!

Daffodils in Full Bloom

The recent warmer weather has brought out a good display of daffodils and narcissus this year after quite a poor show in 2016. I cannot think why there should be a difference!

One of Sally's favourite flowers,viola, are also starting to colour up.

Propagation Gets Underway

Sally's spring propagation season is in full swing and all the hydrangea cuttings from last year have been potted in the poly tunnel.

We have also extended the standing ground at the expense the vegetable garden with more mypex surface. The veg growing in this area were not very successful due to lack of sunlight!

Minor Projects

We dismantled our original compost bays as they were rotting in places and Sally decided there was enough decent wood to make a plant bench. I don't think either of us will be called upon to exercise our carpentry skills but here is a sample of hedgerow carpentry!

Another small project involved the removal of some poor and muddled planting in the front round bed. Sally wanted to plant it based on a more formal design to match the yews and lonicera balls along the drive fenceline.

The layout uses seven different plants mostly grown for their foliage.so given time it will all join up. Watch this space!

Spring is Sprung!

As our snowdrops fade here are plenty of Spring flowering plants to take up the challenge of keeping the garden full of interest.

Viburnum bodnantense to be fair has been flowering all winter and as a bonus has a delicious scent.

Hellebores are certainly enjoying their best season for several years. The orange/red stems of dogwood can still be seen in the background.

The early narcissus Tete a Tete makes an appearance almost overnight.

The little Cardamine quinquefolia also comes from nowhere and after a welcome period of flower disappears until next year.

Sally has planted 20 hellebores amongst the snowdrops and they seem to make content bedfellows!

Even the primroses are getting in on the act, they self seed here like mad but we dig them up and donate to a friend who has a 4 acre wood to fill!!

More hellebores in full flight!

 It really must be spring because today the main lawn had its first cut of the year and shows off some splendid stripes!