There’s no doubt that spring is here, even though April can bring extremes of weather. It’s not unusual to have snow during this period, but hot sunshine is also possible. The UK has in the past seen temperatures of almost 30°C in this month, which is hotter than most summer days. One thing’s certain – the weather is unlikely to stay the same for long. This means, if it’s freezing, it won’t keep you away from the garden for long. But if it’s hot, make the most of it.
It’s a great month for gardeners and there’s no time to waste now that things are stirring underfoot. But before you make haste towards the greenhouse, the kitchen garden or the garden shed, don’t forget to stop and stare. We need to enjoy the beauties of spring before they fade, and that includes bluebells, which should be inhaled and appreciated. The UK is home to more than half of all the bluebells in the entire world. They favour ancient woods, but you can plant them in your garden too. Give them a slightly shady spot in moist but well-draining soil and be sure to choose the native Hyacinthoides non-scripta variety rather than the rather invasive Spanish bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica. Remember that the bulb is poisonous – these plants were said to have been used by 13th-century monks in the treatment of leprosy and they are currently being investigated for use within insect repellents.
Keep your eyes peeled for wood anemones too. Anemone nemorosa enjoys growing in the shade and shelter of deciduous trees, where their pure white, low-blooming flowers with golden anthers are as beautiful as just about any bloom you could wish to see.
Cultivated bulbs including tulips are magnificent and this bulb produces the widest range of colours of any other spring-flowering example. From the purest of whites to the darkest purple, there are tulips for every setting – including pots and containers. Not all tulips will come back each year. Although technically perennials, they are often best treated as an annual and replaced. If you want to leave them in situ, be sure to give them feed and mulch, and leave the foliage to die down naturally after flowering so that the bulb energy stores are replenished.
The spring flower that most people would never be without is the daffodil. They light up the month like sunshine. They all belong to the Narcissus genus, but we generally refer to those with larger trumpets as daffodils and the slightly smaller flowers as narcissi. Then there is the jonquil, which has clusters of small, fragrant daffodil-like flowers. Be prepared to leave the foliage for up to six weeks after flowering and don’t be tempted to cut, tie or braid the leaves to make them look neater.
Flowering cherry blossom
Look up towards the treetops to enjoy the delights of flowering cherries this month. They herald the spring most delightfully. Some cherries are covered in blousy blossom during April, whilst others celebrate the season more subtly. Varieties such as Prunus ‘Kanzan’ produce pink fluffy clouds of double blossom, while P. ‘Pink Perfection’ is a slightly smaller version on which its delectable candyfloss flowers last slightly longer than most. Some regard ornamental cherries as ‘one-trick-ponies’ as the blossom is fleeting – but what a trick to have up your sleeve.
If you are considering planting a flowering cherry in the garden, bear in mind that the spread of most Prunus varieties is almost equal to the height. You need to allow room for the spread because if it is pruned too much, the shape will be distorted. Far better to consider one of the upright, fastigiate varieties of spring-flowering cherry trees. Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ is a great one for small gardens because of its upright shape. Expect it to grow to a height of up to seven metres but with a spread of only two or three.
If you look at your spring garden and feel it is bereft of colour, this is the perfect time to remedy the problem so that you’ll have something much more joyful next year. Gardening is all about thinking ahead whilst enjoying the moment. Just remember that any trees or shrubs you plant now will need watering throughout the drier months ahead.
By Caroline Knight
