The top picture above shows my small lime green dissectum leaf Acer – I have looked for its full name but for the moment I cannot find it. In the next couple of days I suspect all the leaves will be out and the lovely branch framework of this tree will be hidden again until the autumn. The leaves of this tree are one of my favourite greens of the garden – it so lights up this dark corner in the afternoon.

As I walked round the border, to see another Acer, I passed the first flower beginning to open on my small Magnolia Stellata, shown above. It is so white and delicate and I have to say I like it more before it fully opens. But hey that’s just me – I’m not so keen on full on blousy flowers.

The Acer palmatum Sango Kaku,is such a show stopper with its coral bark. It lights up with the sunshine on it and now the new leaves are well underway in opening – this Acer is the first out in my garden. It would be a difficult one to decide if I had to choose one Acer to grow. I don’t believe I could choose between Sango Kaku and my lime green dissectum.

En route to see the progress of the leaves on another Acer I gave a big smile when I saw some wood anemones in flower, shown above. They are growing tucked underneath my small rhododendrons. I planted them there as they so remind me of the woodland walks I had as a child. I did notice there too that my rhodendendrons look like they are in need of some feeding as the leaves are showing yellow.

The next Acer, shown above, in comparison to the others was a bit of a disappointment. Yes, the leaves were beginning to come out but they held no magic for me at all. However, when this tree is fully in leaf it is another matter entirely. The deep red and delicate drooping leaves of the Acer palmatum dissectum garnet I find is so calming especially by water. I haven’t planted one beside my pond as there is limited space in this area and it can get quite dark later on in the day. That is why I have the lime green one there instead. I have two of the garnet Acers but the other, in a different area, was showing no opening leaves.

As I passed under my pergola, with ivies and clematis growing up and over it, I glanced up to see if there were any signs of the female blackbird making her nest. No sign – so I took a quick photo of the nest and passed quickly through.

I was back at the pond once again and there is so much happening in this area as you can see above. There are more drumstick Primulas in flower and they are now joined by the Snakes-head Fritillaries Meleagris bobbing about in the wind like little lanterns. There are signs that my small bronze leafed Astilbe, sprite, is coming up now too as are the first signs of my candelabra primulas and the meconopsis, the Bowles golden grass and the…..

I so love this area. By May it is lush with foliage and the Meconopsis will be just about to flower. I can’t wait.

Before leaving the garden I sat on a chair at my back door to watch a moment – to see if any birds would come to the feeders. A few did, but as I sat very still Blackbirds and Starlings came very close to my feet. I took a quick photo of the Starling as it took a moment to check my presence out.

One last glance before heading in and I spotted my clematis Miss Bateman, shown below, with flower buds – I’ll come back to this another day!

For the moment any garden update could not be left without a mention of our Camera Nestbox. The Blue tit has been busy this morning, once again, taking moss out and bringing moss in. I think it would be fair to say it is interested in our box!

Finally, for those who had early interest in a Nestbox there still could be hope – our Nestbox Terrace had gone quiet too. However, as I was writing this I spotted a Blue Tit once again at the entrances. I have no idea if it is too late for it or for putting up new Nestboxes. My daughter has finally made up her Nestbox and has stained it to match our other green Nestboxes – with all her work we will put it up and see!