In my garden: A first proper look after winter

Hasn't it been nice to have seen some sun this week? It was so nice that I ventured out into the garden one evening after work this week to retrieve the cardboard we've been accumulating as the preparations for the conservatory work continue.  But along the way I couldn't help but take a few pictures, and poke around to see what's going on. 

There was suddenly more colour than I expected, and some, like this kerria which is visible from the house.

I think it's the best I've seen this plant which has snuck through the fence from next door.  Patience it seems - as well as cutting it back hard - really does pay off.  It seems though that the forget-me-nots have much more patience, and resilience, than we do as once again they're back.

I do like them, but they arrive in droves, and so after a while we end up treating them like weeds.  But quite pretty weeds. 

Also just visible from the house is the reddy-orange flowers of the ornamental quince, and I can't work out if it too has more flowers this year, or if I've just spotted it at its peak. Who knows.

The lime green euphorbias bring a zing around the garden, but in one place in particular when teamed with the vibrant lilac of the flowering honesty it is quite psycadelic.

I was keen to see what the new(ish) camellia was up to as I couldn't quite work out what from my seat at the dining table. On closer inspection one white flower remained but one was in the process of decaying. As I've said before, no less pretty.

What surprised me though was that the cherry blossom was out. Every year though I think it provides one of my favourite photos. It's probably something to do with the freshness and that brick wall background.

As I was poking around the cherry tree I spotted a pop of yellow where I wasn't expecting to see any colour. And discovered that I'm now the proud owner of yet another primula.

In the grass we could see a dark spot from the house, up close it was as I thought it was a patch of very tiny irises. I've a feeling they won't last for long as MOH is eyeing up the lawnmower and its first outing.

Closer to the house but hidden by the barbecue the replacement forsythia is in flower too.  I need it to grow a bit more this year, not only so we can see it and enjoy it, but also so I don't have to lean over the barbecue to get a photo!

It shouldn't be a shock that many plants have suddenly grown given all the rain we've had, but even the box balls have sprouted so it won't be too long before the shears come out for those.  It's noticeable this year that the box balls that are more sheltered have already grown more rapidly than the one that's more exposed.

The sensible solution would be to swap the pots around. But as the pots come past my waist and are full of earth, that's unlikely to happen unless we need to shift them so the builders can have access.  Actually that might need to happen, but if it does there should be some extra muscles on hand to help.

I am behind where I usually am with tidying the garden and sowing seeds, but it's been an exceptional year weather-wise so far and hopefully there'll be plenty of time for us to catch up.  

A woodland guest room

Like Toblerone and Dairylea, things that come in triangles are often pretty good, and this woodland guest room at this year's Ideal Home Show, designed by Black Parrots Studio is definitely up there with those two other triangular goodies.  

It's been designed as a flexible space transitioning from office to bedroom and "capturing the spirit of an off-the-grid garden retreat in the Scandinavian forest."

For a small space it was full of colour, textures and pattern - most notably that wallpaper, which I warmed too.  Although paired with the orange I did briefly think I might have been back in the 1970s, but the whole effect felt more modern than vintage.

As you've probably spotted there's a bit of a jungle theme going on which aims to bring the outside in.  I think the space works, because although there's a lot in here, the restricted colour palette gives it a stylish, rather than cluttered finish.  Although if you do look at the wallpaper from a certain angle, it does have the look of OSB about it. 

As you can see it was busy outside, but inside because there was just a small viewing space I had the place almost to myself.

What I particularly liked was the geometric brass tables with their grouping of pots and plants.  It's simple, but striking and effective isn't it?  And even better it's something that would be easy to replicate.

What do you think, would you have a garden pod and decorate it in a similar style, or would you it be something entirely different?

Hello April!

My Papergang box for April is very pink!  And a few days later than usual, April seemed to have snuck up on me.

Once again the stationery in the box is something I'm unlikely to have chosen and bought myself, but like last months now that it's here I'm glad that it is. I think the point of these boxes is the surprise and gift element and if that means pushing you away from your norms and comfort zone.  

It's all pretty and functional enough that it will be used, but that may not be immediately.  I'm fine with that as I often have a stash of things that are waiting for the right occasion.  As well as the usual month card, this month's notebook is a bullet journal, the page is full of dots and so with the rule (which does have numbers on and just hasn't shown in the photograph) it can be kept neat.

My current blog planner is loosely based on a bullet journal, but it's quite freeform and not that pretty, but it works for me, especially as I can tick things off lists.  Some stickers and more uniformity would definitely help, so we'll see how that goes.

That card.  How true has that been so far this year.  There's been glimpses of sun, but the only sure way to have sun lately has been to bring your own.  It's not a bad saying in any case is it?

Also in the box were the stickers I mentioned before, a clear pink pouch which will get used and three chubby pencils. And as you can see with it all piled up, it is very pink.  This box is the last of my Christmas present subscription and it's been a great present. It's been a good reminder that to receive some treats every now and then is a good thing.  

Last month I contemplated extending the subscription for myself, so far I haven't, and I think I'll take a look around to look at other kinds of subscription boxes.  I'm not much into a beauty box, but I've seen some gin based boxes and some craft based boxes which could be more my thing.  If you've had subscription boxes that you've been impressed with then I'd be interested to hear about them.