I don’t know about your part of the world, but here in Sussex, England we haven’t had proper rain for weeks (a smattering of snow last weekend but no rain). It has also been extremely chilly even in the sunshine and dropping to freezing at night and the plants are not very happy. Growth is slow.
But it is April and so there are still magical things happening, tulips coming into flower, perennials putting on new shoots. So without further ado here are six things from my garden this Saturday. To see what other gardeners around the globe are up to do check out our mighty host The Propagator .
1. Doorstep pots
I have been so pleased with Muscari ‘Valerie Finnis’, the pale blue grape hyacinths, which have put on a long-lasting display. Next to them in the darker blue pot are ‘Ronaldo’ tulips just coming into flower.
2. Baxter damage
As well as cold and dry weather my garden has suffered from the puppy effect this spring. He has trampled a doggy desire line through this bed by our French window and dug a huge hole right by the roots of our Hydrangea petiolaris (where the bucket is until I get round to filling it up). The tulip bulbs planted here are a no show. I’m hoping when the ferns grow back they will form a barrier – but who I am I kidding? He will probably just crush them in his wake!
3. The last of the narcissi
I can’t remember the variety but I do love the orange and lemon combo of these narcissi, among the last to flower.
4. Farewell daphne
In previous years I have waxed lyrical about our daphne but this year it just suddenly died. No leaves, no flowers, nothing. So I have cut it right back ready to dig out which is going to be a big job. The reward will be planting my new Ferdinand Pichard rose and a Sarcocca for winter scent.
5. Spring border
This bed in our front garden is at its best in spring when the tulips are in flower together with paper white narcissi, bluebells, grape hyacinths, comfrey and spirea, as well as the fading beauty of the hellebores.
6. English Laurel
I cut this laurel right back a couple of years ago as it was shading the border, but it has come back more vigorously than ever and I have to admit with these flower candles it is rather handsome.
Don’t forget to pop on over to The Propagator . You can also find my newsletter The Half Wild Garden on Substack(http://thehalfwildgarden.substack.com).
Carrots and Calendula 
We have taken to watering pots also after a very dry and drying spell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice photo of these muscaris in pots: I have the same variety but mine are a little late because they are in the ground. I think that the coming mild weather should allow me to see them in full bloom within a short week… 🤞(Fed up with the cold and we lack the rain too)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some lovely pots of colour in your garden. Baxter will learn, once our dogs of yester year grew a bit older, they stopped digging up the plants/bulbs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the light blue Muscari and spring bulbs. We had a dreadful dry spell just starting to break. I fear Baxter has found his path!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry about the Daphne. They are prone to dying suddenly. But well worth it while they are alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I will plant another but in a different spot
LikeLiked by 1 person
Naughty Baxter! I am glad you view the demise of your daphne as a shopping opportunity, two for the price of one. Lots of watering here too, still not too much of a chore, but I am sure the novelty will wear off very soon. The muscari are lovely and the tulips look like they are going to be incredible. It is all kicking off!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the perfect plant pot combo of pale blue muscari in their lovely pot! Your spring border looks so fresh and has lots of interest. I must get some comfrey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Valerie Finnis’ looks lovely in that pale blue pot. And yes, it is even dry in Cornwall! But I am loving the blue skies and the warmth of the sun if you can get out of the cold wind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The blue pots are beautiful – I love this soothing combination of cool colors. Your spring bed is definitely a success and has a hint of tangled abundance that I find irresistable in a garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like your doorstep pots – so pretty,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Baxter certainly has a . . . distinct gardening style.
I dig your grape hyacinth too. They seem popular this year. I was pleased to get mine (long story), so it is nice to see others appreciating them also.
LikeLiked by 1 person