The rowan tree

My rowan tree was a feeble looking thing when I rescued it about ten years ago from someone's garden where it was struggling in the shade, took it home and planted it behind my shed.

It's looking much happier now.

Out in the country

Darley and Nutwood nature reserve on a cool and cloudy day so no sign of any butterflies - although the birds were singing and I saw the odd bumble bee.

Wild garlic down by the river:

A mist of bright green on the hawthorn:

Early bluebells:

Farmland and hedgerows around Morely:

Ancient mound at the highest point:

And an old oak colouring up:

Out in the country

Sinfin Moor nature reserve - lots of signs of spring - trees greening up and plenty of butterflies - small tortoiseshells, peacocks and commas.

Cherry plum blossom

First of the blossoms!

Orchard in July

Speaks for itself really.

Spring

So, after one of the coldest winters on record it's been the driest March for fifty years, and with temperatures well above average. Very pleasant but also a little ominous.

Out in the countryside the hawthorn is greening up even as the blackthorn is still in blossom.

I've seen red-tailed bumble bees and orange-tipped and peacock butterflies.

And I like the way the elder sneaks into leaf without me noticing (but then I would wouldn't I).

Trees

I planted the purple cherry when I first started here ten years ago. It was a poor little thing growing between the cracks in some paving which I took pity on and brought home. Likewise the rowan tree which is now in blossom; it was struggling in deep shade in somone's garden so I dug it up and replanted it by the shed there. The big ash trees at the back are my favourites though.



White lilac

Horse chestnut

More winter plantings

Where I cleared some of the brambles at the back of the plot I've planted a young Sweet Chestnut - Castanea "Marigoule". This is a Marron type giving one large nut per cluster rather than lots of small ones. And also a Juneberry - Amelanchier "Ballerina" which should provide fruits in July. Both of these from Cool Temperate Nursery, Cossall, Notts, as recommended by Ken Fern's Plants for a Future, situated round the back of Trinity Farm farm shop. The nursery isn't open to the public so if you plan on buying anything there you'll need to check the website and contact Phil to make an appointment.

Elder flowering