Flowers that bring joy to the soul...

I have just taken this photograph looking out of a downstairs window. There might even be raindrops on the glass as it is a wet day and gloomy with it. But flowers in the garden are delightfully cheering. These hydrangeas were all grown from cuttings. There are more of them all over the garden — front and back — and in pots. We had just one pink one when we arrived at this house, and I planted a blue one. Now they are large bushes with progeny filling the flower beds! So easy to grow. So much pleasure in their beauty. But more than that — they give a sense of achievement when other things I do fail.

Welcome to our garden in April.

Rain has fallen at last so no watering to do. However the weeds are now shooting up. Some I allow, especially in a small corner which is quite wild and full of wild flowers according to season. The rhododendrons are now coming out in all their glory. Unfortunately, we have had to cut out some well established ones in the front garden due to disease, but we are filling in the huge gap with other shrubs and trees. I thought I would put a few photos here of our back garden — the wild corner, side path and part of the border on the other side. The mason bees have set up home again in part of the lawn under the big oak tree. Birds are busy feeding their young and squirrels never fail to amuse us. A year or so ago, I watched one play with a stick like a dog!