A couple of willows split and collapsed by the Line Light Lade overflow aqueduct in the English Parkland are removed, having succumb to a combination of high winds and shallow roots in boggy ground. This is another area that will actually be improved by their absence as will the adjacent path with its Exchanges bench inscriptions which was becoming heavily encroached and shaded. 

 

After the snowdrops and aconites have done their best to cheer, crocuses, bluebells and daffodils appear in sequence, as always later to bloom here than elsewhere. Various clumps of snowdrops are lifted, divided and planted out in the wild garden by the Diana / Artemis pool and the Wayfaring Tree milestone, where they can naturalise readily and inhabit another area of the garden for the future.

 

There is the annual abundance of wild garlic – wanted or unwanted – depending on where it congregates. The pretty little blue and pink speckled flowers of pulmonaria offer a delicate counterpoint.

 

In the greenhouses early seed sowing gets going in earnest. Overwintered juvenile plants are potted on. Spuds are laid out in rows to chit and will go into the ground soon once all of the beds are prepared. Terracotta containers are taken out of storage, tidied and put in position.

 

The Hortus is given a tidy out. The blighted box hedging remains a quandary and an eyesore here. The rose beds will be underplanted and replenished with more nepeta, brought on from cuttings over the winter. The struggle with light levels though means that whatever is put in here just has to take its chance.

 

Meanwhile in the cottage – books are back on their shelves in the study bedroom, all freshly repainted. We will now be able to make a casualty list of those left out damaged beyond repair.

 

The Loo and Reception interiors also get repainted. All of the outside window frames and doors will need to be next, as they are showing definite signs of deterioration from the ravages of age and weather.

 

The frog mating season and chorus is in full sway in the ponds and lochan by Picturesque and the submerged Ionian column, with our resident beady-eyed heron in attendance.

 

Jet cleaning and spring washing takes up a lot of time. The annual round and inexplicably messy process of washing brick and stone paths and patios is well underway. Spaces and surfaces open up, fresh and light, though a few other places have been left to moss over, where it is appropriate and looks far more in keeping.

 

Weather wise it has been mixed bag. After snow, sleet and more blustery high winds, there are a few sustained days of beautiful bright sunshine and clear skies which make all the difference. It feels like we have indeed turned the corner into spring.