April and May In the Garden

Apologies I've been away a little while due to being unwell and April seems to have passed me by and suddenly we are well into May. Here's a little snapshot of what's been happening in the garden while I've been recuperating. When I went in hospital all the daffodils were out and since then the cherry blossom trees and tulips have been and gone and now the garden is full of vibrant colour and plants again. Here are a few photos.

The cherry blossoms 

Magnolia and tulips 

Vivid yellow and pink broom in the front garden with aubretia and yellow alyson in the foreground

Phlox making a purple carpet

One of my May favourites - Aquilega 

A deep red broom currently brightening up a back border

The Californian lilac bushes are in flower

The geums are out and will flower all through summer

Another May favourite - weigelia 

May isn't May without a clematis in full bloom

Borders are brimming with forget-me-nots

The wallflowers have sprung back to into life for the summer

And bluebells - well they sing of May and signal the summer isn't too far away now

A peony unfurling in the early morning sunshine

It's all come to life so quickly and as we approach mid May, the cold snaps and frosts are leaving us. It's already time to redo the summer baskets and pots...

Sandringham Estate Norfolk

I was lucky enough to visit Sandringham Estate in North Norfolk this April during the lovely sunny weather we've been having. The grounds are very beautiful at this time of year with some magnificent displays of camilias and daffodils. 

The woodland walk from the entrance to the house was full of colourful surprises and scents. Camelias draped heavily in full blossom along the pathways - I don't think I've seen so many together look so stunning - masses of pink and white flowers paved the way through the woods. 

Other spring flowers were in abundance too - hyacinths - in pinks, whites and blues were scatttered in small clumps, their strong scents wafting; early pink cherry blossoms towered high above the camelias and the bright yellow flowers of mahonia shrubs were a welcome sight. 

Here and there around the grounds there would be the beautiful and welcome sight of a newly flowering magnolia tree - different varities in pale pinks, whites and magenta.

Then daffodils ... banks and swathes of them scattered everywhere: under trees, in sunny glades, along the stream and by the lake. Spring has definitely arrived here in this tranquil place! 

Sandringham Estate is one of the Queen's country estates and retreats and is set in 24 hectares of grounds and gardens. The grounds include woodland and heathland too, which are open to the public free of charge all year round. There is a charge for entry to the house and gardens. Click on the website below for more information.

Sandringham Estate, Norfolk