We’ve had a mixed bag of weather this  week again, but it’s definitely improving! Yesterday was very blustery and wet, yet today is calm and sunny, typical April really! A bit of sunshine and warmth has made a huge difference in the garden with all sorts of perennials making their appearance so I’ve been wandering round checking what has survived the winter, reacquainting myself with what plant is where! Our main flush of daffodils is now out, making a great splash of colour along the top wall.

A peony is unfurling its red fronds, a dicentra near the pond has reappeared, a lot of hosta buds have appeared but this little hosta by the conservatory door is already starting to open it’s leaves. The iris buds are a stunning purple colour which look really striking next to the pond.

The magnolia stellate which opened its first flower last weekend is looking wonderful, covered in dainty white bloom , the scent is beautiful, delicate but enough to notice as you walk past.

We’ve had a lot of visitors to the bird feeders, they’re all pairing up now, we have Mr and Mrs Bullfinch and Chaffinch coming regularly! Two goldfinches half emptied the sunflower seed dispenser, I can’t decide if they are very fussy or very messy eaters but they seem to eat one, drop five, eat one, drop five!! The ground feeders such as the sparrows and the blackbirds think its great, they stand underneath waiting for the next one to drop!