THE JOYS OF SPRING!

Hello - what a beautiful week. It really is an absolutely glorious time of year.

It does not matter how many springs you have seen - they never fail to please. This week has seen a beautiful mix of sun and showers - which has helped to keep plants in tune a bit more - there have also been several overcast days which help that young soft growth to harden up a bit - and survive the extremes a bit better.

I think perhaps this spring - more than most - it has been noticeable how fast stuff is growing. The trees are literally coming into leaf overnight - and the new growth on climbers and perennials is quite stunning.

However - there are problems appearing - aphid is already apparent on some plants - and we are monitoring new growth to ensure there is no setback.

We are still getting a lot of reports from customers about dead or apparently dead shrubs in their gardens - these are a hangover from the vicious winter weather. It is predominantly evergreens that are mentioned - but as I have said before - the evergreens do not start producing new growth until mid-May - so it is far too early to give up on anything yet!

The BLOSSOM is outstanding this year - the PLUMS and CHERRIES are in full flower - and the early-flowering APPLE BLOSSOM is starting. I adore apple blossom - not only for the lovely scent - but also that beautiful mix of pink and white - as the buds unfurl.

Talking of APPLE BLOSSOM - the Malus - the FLOWERING CRAB APPLES are now starting their season of glory. They nicely follow on from the PRUNUS - the FLOWERING CHERRIES. We grow many beauties - but what is so much better about the Crab Apple versus Cherry conundrum is that the Crab Apples will all have decorative fruit in the autumn - which sadly the Flowering Cherries will not have. This put together with their small size - and the ability to grow well on most soils score them a lot of brownie points in the tree stakes.

As to which varieties to grow - well it depends on what you want them for. Since they are all superb in blossom - it comes down to those with larger fruits - if you want to make Crab Apple Jelly those like JOHN DOWNIE are your best bet - there are more ornamental types like the purple-leaved forms - and then there are some that just outstanding all across the board - like 'WHITE STAR' and MALUS TRANSITORIA - they have it all - wonderful blossom - and great fruit.

There now - if you had not realised it - I quite like CRAB APPLES - why not take a closer look at them yourself - you may be pleasantly surprised!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

RICHARD

REMEMBER - THIS IS A BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND - AND DUE TO LOCAL PLANNING RESTRICTIONS - THE NURSERY IS CLOSED OVER THE WHOLE WEEKEND - FROM SATURDAY TO MONDAY INCLUSIVE.