We visited Wakehurst Place on Friday and it was there that I saw the first rhododendron flowers of the year.
Normally at this time all the rhododendrons would be as far as this, if not further, into their flowering cycle. The roads south of Reading are normally peppered with purple wild rhododendrons peering through the hedges with their mauve and lavender offerings.
Meanwhile our own rhododendrons have tightly closed buds and are showing no signs of coming into flower just yet.
My father’s garden manages to have a lot more growing in it, in spite of the cold weather.
It is in Brighton on the south coast of Sussex, and has lots of tall trees to provide protection, so it’s not surprising some things are flourishing.
He is particularly proud of his camellias, as he has a very chalky, alkaline soil, so has to grow them in pots. This is the same for his rhododendrons (which weren’t out yet).
It’s always worth having a poke around to see what’s happening, as there’s always a nice surprise waiting to be discovered, just like these hyacinths, periwinkles and forget me nots.
I had such fun photographing hellebores in my parents’ garden today!
We’ve got all these buds in our garden holding out for warmer weather before they decide it’s safe to open.
The yellow azelea which smells of coffee and sweat has swollen flower buds ready to burst.
The camellia buds have been present since Christmas and have been in a dormant state ever since.
The stellata magnolia’s furry buds are poised to break into flower, with their pure white fronds only just under the surface.
Just when will I be able to greet these flowers properly?
The hedgerows are displaying a lot of white at the moment.
But in spite of the freezing cold weather it is not snow. If you look more carefully you’ll notice it’s made up of white blossoms.
In fact the hedgerows lining the roads on the way to Henley and Maidenhead are full of these flowering bushes.
I enjoy it so much when the blackthorn comes into flower. They are so delicate, dainty and perfect, and appear to be so vulnerable exposed on these leafless, bare twigs.
On the side of the roads where there are grassy banks, the council have planted swathes of daffodils.
These are particularly beautiful at this time of year, providing a large expanse of cheery yellow to brighten up a grey day.
I enjoy driving down these particular roads, and sometimes take a detour just so I can go and see them.
Here’s my pear tree with its flower buds just waiting for a change in the temperature so it can start to blossom.
But this cold doesn’t just stop flower buds from opening; even if they did, where are the insects they rely on to pollinate them? It’s far too cold for them to come out.
Last year we had a very bad year for tree fruit. I think we only had two decent pears! Compared to the year before when we had so many we had to put our prepared pears in the freezer.
This year, with the forecast looking like temperatures way below average for most of April, it looks like we’re going to have another difficult year for fruit farmers.
Either winter is obstinately refusing to leave, or spring is dragging its heels, but we all despair at the inactivity of it all!
Nevertheless, the new growth is starting to get established, as you can see in the hydrangea and elderflower above.
But the pause button is firmly pressed down, as shown by our pear tree flower buds. They have been poised to unfurl for some days, but are decidedly and tantalisingly not complying.
Finally I managed to get a photo of our goldfinch couple!
I caught them unawares as they breakfasted on our brick wall, daintily picking away at the cement where the snow hadn’t settled.
And yes, it’s snowing again! What is amazing is that this time last year we were basking in 21 degrees centigrade (that’s 70 degrees farenheit) toasting our lily-white skin ready for the barbeque summer (which we didn’t have, of course).
And at the end of next week we go into British Summer Time (or Daylight Saving Time) when the evenings get lighter and we look forward to a bit of warmth – whatever that is.
I just love the cherry trees at this time of year, especially the early flowering ones that have such dainty blooms.
The pale pink flowers contrast so pleasingly with the dark black branches, like pink petticoats over black tights.
This should not be mistaken for the blackthorn blossom, which is usually white and on smaller bushes in hedgerows.
Watching nature while walking 