Spring Time Leaves and Buds

"O Day after day we can't help

growing older.

Year after year spring can't help

seeming younger.

Come let's enjoy our winecup today,

Not pity the flowers fallen."

Wang Wei, On Parting with Spring

Spring Time Leaves /Buds

Take a closer look at the leaves. It is really an

attractive shurb and really comes into its own

in April. I love the ridged leaves and their definition.

It is growing on chalk which is a really tricky type

of soil to plant in successfully, but this Cornus is

clearly happy on this site of my Garden. 

This Cornus is one of a group of five Cornuses

I planted in the middle of my steep Garden. They have

all bushed out really well. It's leaves are so well defined

and are such a great contrast to the beautiful red stems.

This is an Astilbe. It has delightfully dark green leaves

and has just come into leaf again now it is spring.

It has such pretty leaves that stem from small

reddish stalks. It is low growing and so easy to

look after. 

I love the groups of threes its leaves

form in. It is planted in a deep trellis planter and is

in normal mutli purpose compost.

This Heuchera has delightfully frilly red/copper leaves

and is in happy in the sun. 

They do like being in the

shade. I love its colourful cheery leaves. 

They look

good in small groups of threes and with a mix of

colours. There are so many shades and forms. 

               

I planted this Bay and just left it to grow. It is pretty

healthy but needs some good pruning; it is not a good

shape and needs tidying up. It has been somewhat

neglected but has such a lovely presence, aroma and

lovely dark green leaves. Perfect for drying and to

cook with. Gardening and healthy cooking go hand

in hand in my opinion.

                       

I find the little buds on this Bay so encouraging.

New life and this is why it is called Spring.

This Choysia took a long time to establish itself,

mainly as it was very over shadowed but other

shrubs. It is really healthy and suddenly grew

like mad. See its tiny flower buds which will

open up to give off the most delicious scent. 

Love its shiny, glossy green and yellow leaves.

Such a cool combination of colours. They

are also pleasantly scented if you rub them in

your hands.

Just to show another variety of Heuchera here.

It has beautiful red, orange leaves and lovely

definition on the leaves. Such an easy plant to

grow in a pot or in the soil.

I love the contrasting leaf colour

on this Red Robin. It is a big shrub now

but it is perfectly possible to keep it small

in a decent sized glazed blue or green pot.

Please contact me for advice on how to

plant any of these shrubs. Can give you

lots of suggestions where to plant, soil

to plant in and site.

" I love spring anywhere, but if I could 

choose I would always greet it in a garden."
Ruth Stout

"All gardening is Landscape painting." said Alexander Pope.