…finished. The last 175 odd were by far the most lengthy to write and difficult requiring plenty of research about plants I knew little about (eg ferns). I would now…

…‘Patricia Ballard’ Aster ‘Little Carlow’ was making a stunning show. About 3-4ft tall as a huge clump. Aster ‘Little Carlow’ Aster ‘Little Carlow’ Aster ‘Little Carlow’ Unable to identify this…

…Glow’ Echinacea purpurea Echinacea purpurea Echinacea purpurea Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’ rather late in the season. Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’ Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’ Malus ‘Golden Hornet’ laden down with fruit as usual….

…still firmly not out. Magnolia campbellii ‘Alba’ A little more colour through the arch. A little more colour And beyond the Rockery – this one from the same seed pan…

…Bells’ Camellia ‘Little Bit’ Camellia ‘Little Bit’ Camellia ‘Rusticana’ Camellia ‘Rusticana’ Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’ Ilex x altaclarensis ‘Golden King’ Viburnum tinus in bud and flower. Pink buds and…

…a pool. Wisteria sinensis Another free standing Wisteria not yet out. Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’. Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’ Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’ A good bit of National Trust labelling….

…I write this. A once common bird which one now sees seldom here. Bullfinches were the detested pests before the First War as they were frequently found pecking and destroying…

…be seen. Don’t hold your breath! What was out a week ago are not even dog turds on sticks any more. Horrible and life threatening to small birds. The keepers…

…Fever’ is just out long after the ‘Yellow Bird’ beside it has gone over. As it has been so dry the flowers stand proud from the emerging leaves this year…

…a fine show today on Sinogrande Walk. This is Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ x Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’ and very well worth its place in any garden flowering mid-April (here). A hint…