Rackham report

Hello again from Skinners Cottage.  I hope everyone is keeping well.    It has been an amazing week for the garden.   Much more sunshine than expected and although that gusty northerly wind of the weekend has gone, it has still been very cold most of the day and especially in the mornings.   

I got caught out with some heliotrope that had arrived from Sarah Raven and I had potted on and left on an outside chair.    They will survive but they clearly did not enjoy the experience of being out all night. 

The daffodils are still out in the paddock and as a result the view from the top over Rackham is at its best.   

I always make a point of going up at least once a day both for  the exercise, to view the akebia (I make no apologies for including another picture) and to see if the pond has attracted any frogs - or indeed anything at all!    

The pond was dug out about 3 years ago and frog envy well and truly set in whilst watching Gardeners'  World last week.  However, I am still waiting for any wildlife although the water buttercups are doing well.

The mirabelle tree is in full bloom with the promise of lots of fruit come August as is the Victoria plum and the damson.    A flowering cherry which was moved last year and initially looked very sorry for itself is coming into flower.  Any day now the honesty will billow forth.  Such a simple but welcome plant at this time of year.   

I am quite pleased with the fritilleria in the pots outside the side gate which I have teamed with my favourite mascara, "Valerie Finnis".  there is more to come from the pots soon as I have planted a lot of parrot Roccocco tulips.  they work well with the VF and also with the mauve snake's head  fritilleria.    

Euphorbia is also a great plant for this time of year, particularly when it self seeds (as this one has) and balloons out in such a grand way.

Best wishes to all

Rosemary