I have to say that it really is as if nature is on drugs. I turn my back and before I know it, something new has surfaced, or existing plants have grown another few cms overnight. It’s like nature is in one massive hurry to grow and may be thwarted before it’s had a chance. I may have said before, but being a new house and garden to me, I have no idea what is going to poke through the ground. Even some of the trees are new to me, so it’s one big voyage of discovery. It seems only a moment ago that I was pruning the roses, some of them rather dramatically as they seemed to be totally taking over! Those same roses are now in flower and all of them are covered in buds.

The first rose.

I had never heard of a Judas Tree, and was really excited to see what it would be like. The blossoms come out all along the branches and over the trunk, and attract so many bees.

Judas Tree (above and below)

Another new plant to me is the tree paeony, also, it seems, irresistible to bees. It has only just opened but I guess in another week it will be a mass of flowers.

The star of the flowers at the moment has to be some of the other paeonies dotted around the garden.

This stunning specimen is almost the size of a dinner plate.

If you want something to knock your socks off with scent, you can’t go past the beautiful lilac. Early morning and late evening is the best time to get a ‘fix’! The blooms are huge and so heavy, and the insects love it.

I couldn’t believe that the butterfly stayed on the lilac long enough for me to get the camera out. It’s a scarce swallowtail, which isn’t actually scarce at all.

The whole of the garden is walled, and being in such a quiet village surrounded by nature and countryside, it is truly idyllic. The bird song is so beautiful, all backed up with the periodic crowing of a cockerel or two, geese honking, and recently arrived, the cuckoo. I always think that hearing the cuckoo really signals the arrival of spring. I have an old bench where I love to sit and ponder in the afternoons when the sun is pouring back on me. I can become very contemplative, and ‘at peace’ with myself. Life is good.

A Bientôt!