watchingthedaisies

The Garden in April 2018

 

“There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”

Minnie Aumonier

The month of April included all four seasons – cold, rainy days, storms and at long last glorious sunshine!

Daffodils

Although my dwarf Narcissus are dying off, there are several species of Daffodils creating a vibrant display in pots and flowerbeds. Their sunshiny smiles brighten up cloudy days…

May will welcome a new species called Sundisc.

Hyacinths

I love to grow Hyacinths indoors for their fabulous scent, and then transplant them outside:

Keukenhof Inspiration

I felt inspired to grow mixed varieties of Tulips after my visit to The Keukenhof Gardens in May 2017.

My archway is adorned with two pots of Candy Prince, Purple Prince and Flaming Flag.

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I planted 50 new coral Tulips in this corner. The varieties are Van Eijk, Toronto and Mystic Van Eijk.

There are LOTS of other Tulips in bloom around the garden. Here is a small selection:

Top Tip

If you are like me and forget where all your bulbs are hiding each autumn, try the following:

  • In autumn, plant as many bulbs as possible in pots – with good labelling!
  • Survey any gaps in your bedding the following spring,
  • Transfer your new bulbs to any vacant spots – either before or after flowering…

New Climbing Roses

My Sage plant was past its best, so I removed it and planted some of its offshoots in a new spot. This freed up space for a new climbing Rose. I chose “The Generous Gardener,” a lovely pale pink variety:

It will partner my “James Galway” Rose on the opposite side of this arch.

I envisage them living happily ever after…

A Tribute to my Late Sister

I wanted to plant a Rose in memory of my sister Margaret, who died on 1 September. She had glorious auburn hair.

“Crown Princess Margareta” felt like the perfect tribute. She will climb up this trellis, and create a mass of scented orange blooms.

Jobs for April

April is the perfect time to:

  • Remove old growth that has given shelter to mini beasts over winter,
  • Lift and divide biennials and perennials – I have lots of new Foxglove and Native Yellow Primrose babies,
  • Move any perennials that are in need of a better spot – I moved Hollyhocks and my Salvia “Hotlips,”
  • Prune Roses, and feed with specialized Rose fertilizer,
  • Clean and paint garden furniture,
  • Sow seeds,
  • Visit garden centres, other gardens and flower shows for inspiration,
  • Plan for new purchases,
  • Sit outside and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and glorious sunsets…

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Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127 comments

  3. Lovely post Brigid. What a beautiful tribute to your sister, to watch that rose bush bloom and grow will surely evoke special memories. Your garden looks like the epitome of sunshine and happiness. 🌸🌹🌷

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  4. Oh Brigid it’s so lovely to see your garden again….what beautiful flowers and choices. I love love the flower you picked for your sister…how lovely. I bet it will blossom with wild abandon!!! What a lift this has given me…we’re still waiting for signs of Spring here…I must say today for the first time I saw a hornet, a bumble bee, and a dandelion…I was thrilled!!! I also noticed there was some green on the trees just starting to peek as buds!! Looking forward to visiting your garden all summer long! xo ❤ 🙂

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  11. Gorgeous garden, Brigid. I love your tulips and other flowers. Your new rose is a great way to remember your sister. I had my first pot of tulip my husband gave me when I was in the hospital last month. The flowering is over and I’ll find a spot for planting them. I’m doing a little bit of gardening every day this month also. The grapevine is growing faster than I can provide lines to hold them. I hand water the plum trees and apple tree as they are still young in age. My roses are huge because I added chicken manure to the soil. There is so much to do but I enjoy doing it.

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  19. Lovely post, Brigid. I feel as if I’ve had a visit with you. Sweet to plant the rose in memory of your sister – that gave my heart a tug. Wonderful tip about planting bulbs in pots until you know where to put them in the ground. We don’t have many blossoms here yet, except daffodils and hyacinth. But the tulips are up and getting ready to bust out onto the scene!

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  20. Brigid, your garden is absolutely gorgeous! I really enjoy seeing it change from season to season. Thanks for the tips for things to do in April. I didn’t realize I was supposed to prune my roses in Spring. Poor things, they were here when we bought the house and we’ve kind of just let them be. Of course, they were just sticks when we moved in, and now at least we have blooms.😊 The new rose is a beautiful tribute to your sister. I’m sure you’ll enjoy watching it thrive under your loving care.

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  21. A beautiful post, Brigid. The flowers in your garden look wonderful and colourful – the tulips absolutely gorgeous and all the photos are vibrant and immediate. What a lovely rose in memory of your sister – hopefully the flourish of roses through the next few months will give you some solace and smiles. 🌹
    Finally, thank you for the tip about filling the gaps in the borders – I’ll follow up on that! hugs, xxx

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  31. Your recent post on decluttering is still resonating with me and now this lovely post will inspire me to create a tiny oasis on my balcony…lately, I’ve been taking the time to sit near the ocean with a book surrounded by gorgeous flowers. Planting a rose in honour of your sister is a beautiful thing…

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  32. Beautiful garden, beautiful post, Brigid! I found you through Annika’s blog and am glad I did. I’m not a gardener, but I can appreciate the beauty and time that goes into such a production. The coral tulips stood out for me and are absolutely stunning. And the tribute for your sister is just lovely. I look forward to more visits here. Take care, Lauren 🌷

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  33. What a lovely quotation to start your post with. I must find a way to have it embossed on a plaque to hang in my garden (or find a plaque with it already embossed on!). I am always reticent to plant something as a memorial. I have a rose “Peace” which remembers parents. It was their favourite rose but it is not an easy one to grow – susceptible to just about everything a rose can be susceptible to. I think I’m on number four! Maybe I’d be better getting a plaque made of their favourite tea brand? I skipped past your closing list of April jobs 😉 I can’t wait for June when the preparation will be over (as if!) and I can just spend time sitting and reflecting and enjoying.

    For now, I can only mow the lawn and then lie on it, bury my nose in the freshly cut grass and sniff. Try it. It’s a wonderful assault on the smelling senses.

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    • Thank you John. Your comments and posts always bring a smile or a laugh 😊 I have that quote framed and sitting on my kitchen window. I have no grass as cutting it is my least favourite job. I am off to the beach today as the sun shines brightly… 🌼

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  44. So lovely to see your Spring bulbs and a forerunner for us in three months time! Have a wonderful Spring and enjoy your beautiful garden!

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  50. Brigid, i did a tonne of gardening and still my garden in May doesnt look likes yours in april. Well my front garden strip does but back garden doesnt . I was reading up about what to do in may. I realised i have no clue about gardening at all. Last year i bought a hoe, oh i do like it. It is my best friend. Would you post about what to do in may and the rest of the months at the beginning of the months because i need help and you know what you are doing. Regards bella

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