Dry Spring Takes its Toll – East Anglia UK

Posted on May 15, 2025

Normally I like to take photos that highlight the beauty of the vegetation around me. However, we are experiencing dry conditions that are bordering on the extreme. The trees are now in full leaf and whilst they can draw water from deep down, the surface has become very dry and hard packed. So the next problem, when it does rain it may well just run off and cause flooding rather than soaking into the land. Gardeners are already being warned of hosepipe bans to come, sooner than later. Not good for the luscious herbaceous borders we all love. Yet, looking…

Plant of the Week

Pieris japonica

Spring brings some vivid colour to our gardens. Plants with new growth, red foliage, give a striking impact on the garden scene. One of the best plants for red is the Pieris japonica.

The early foliage starts out deep red and mellows to yellow and then green. Best suited to partial shade woodland areas, this acid soil loving plant will thrive with little effort.

Home of The Garden Bench

There is nothing that has more Therapeutic Benefits than sitting for a while on The Garden Bench. Our mental well being is being stretched to the limits at a time of unprecedented turmoil. Yet nature sits around us all as a silent witness to the endless possibilities of beauty and intricacy that give us hope and encouragement to carry on. Take a seat, sit for a while, and contemplate how it came to be, and what we can do to protect it.

Garden Plants to Consider

Blinkling Hall - Great Wood - Bluebells May 2025 -9

Hyacinthoides non-scripta – Common Bluebell

The Common Bluebell, scientifically known as the Hyacithoides non-scripta, is to be found flowering in the woodlands of Western Europe and the British Isles. This…

Pieris Japonica – Andromeda

Pieris japonica is a hardy evergreen flowering shrub that has distinctive new red leaves early in the season. These new red leaves turn yellow then…

Acacia dealbata – Silver or Blue Wattle – Mimosa

Acacia dealbata is a evergreen shrub or tree that will flower early in the growing season in warm and temperate climates. Overall, a striking plant…

Armeria maritima – Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima is a hardy perennial plant that grows in clumps and flowers from spring to summer with shades of pink that are best seen…

Aquilegia – Columbine – Granny’s Bonnet

Aquilegia, commonly referred to as Columbine or Granny’s Bonnet, is a quintessential element of any cottage garden, woodland garden, or border display. Its medium height…

Crinodendron – Lantern Tree of Chile

Crinodendron is a genus of evergreen shrub or small tree native to the forests of Chile. They have crimson or pink lantern-shaped flowers that, unusually, hang…

Gazania or African Daisy – Vibrant Hot Colours

Gazania or African Daisies are bold, bright flowers with hot colours that are suited to sunny, dry climates. Although being in the same family, they…

Meconopsis Strathspey Himalayan Poppy single

Meconopsis – Himalayan Poppy

Meconopsis is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Papaveraceae or Poppy family. These plants are often known for their beautiful blue petals,…

Saxifraga cotyledon

Saxifraga cotyledon is a beautiful arctic-alpine flowering plant that grows in Iceland, Scandinavia the Alps and Pyrenees. The flowering stem comes from a rosette of…

Camassia quamash

Camassia quamash is a herbaceous perennial that resembles Bluebells and Hyacinth. That’s because it belongs to the same family Asparagaceae. Native of North America they…

Acer palmatum – Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum or Japanese Maple provide excellent colour and structure to the garden. Green, yellow, orange to dark red, they help to break up a…

Helleborus Orientalis – Lenten Rose

Helleborus orientalis is a hardy perennial plant that will flower early in the growing season and provide some colour and interest In the garden border…

Callistemon or Red Bottlebrush Plant

Callistemon is a genus of exotic flowering plant from the Myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Commonly called the bottlebrush plant for obvious reasons. Currently, there is a debate as…

Calceolaria Slipper flower acid yellow close up 1

Calceolaria or Slipper Flower

Calceolaria are a genus flowering plant from the family, Calceolariaceae. Commonly called the Slipper Flower, Lady’s Purse and Slipperwort, due to unusual flowers that resemble slippers or…

Antirrhinum – Snapdragon – border annual for a blaze of colour

Antirrhinum, commonly known as snapdragons, are a bright, bold colourful flowering border plant. The name “snapdragon” comes from the unique shape of the flowers, which…