In my March - How does it compare? post, I wrote that our garden and plot were behind the stage they were at the same time last year and April has followed the theme.
The magnolia that I posted about throughout last year has been well behind. When it did produce flowers it almost seemed as though no sooner had they opened than the petals began to drop. This wasn't helped by the fact that the flowers chose to open when it was really windy.
Looking back this isn't so unusual in 2009, 2011 and 2014 the first flowers were produced at the start of April. However in 2012 the flowers appeared on 22 March and in 2013 the tree was in full flower on 7 May so flowering times tend to vary considerably.
The fruit trees on the plot are also behind especially the plum blossom which is usually the first to appear. Maybe this isn't a bad thing as there is less chance of the blossom being affected by frost and maybe more active pollinators.
The malus Profusion tree in the garden is also behind.
It isn't just the trees and shrubs that are slow to get going this year. The hostas are well behind. We cleaned out and repotted ours at the end of April which would have been too late last year as they would be in full leaf.
The plants in the pebble garden are now starting to produce flowers but again this is late as they started to flower at the beginning of April last year.
And finally ...
Some differences here are 'manmade'. The bamboo at the back has been removed., The crab apple had been 'trimmed' the pink camellia on the left has been pruned hard so no flowers this year, the gunnera at the far side of the pond is gone and the hostas have new pots.
The main natural difference are in the stage of growth of the hoostas andthe extent of flowering of the crab apple.
It will be interesting to see whether things catch up in May - I'd better browse my May 2014 photos.
The main natural difference are in the stage of growth of the hoostas andthe extent of flowering of the crab apple.
It will be interesting to see whether things catch up in May - I'd better browse my May 2014 photos.
Have things been later in your garden too?
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That's quite a difference. It's a shame your magnolia flowers didn't last long but we did have some very windy days in April. I love the new hosta pots.
ReplyDeleteWe still have some flowers left scattered about on the magnolia, Jo. The colour of the pots is meant to go with the colour of the simmer house,
DeleteI don't keep photo records as well as you do. So I have no clue if we are later or earlier here. I guess I'll know when I start picking the first strawberries as those I have records of. It certainly was the latest year to melt out, but we have had such good weather since then I think the growth has probably caught up.
ReplyDeleteOur weather is very mixed at the moment, Daphne - we have just been rained off, the strawberry flowers have blackened by some recent night frosts and them the next minute the sun is out and it is lovely.
DeleteSpring started much later here and has suddenly caught up explosively in the last week or so. It's meant quite a few blooms, like your magnolia, have gone over quickly. Now summer is powering on full steam ahead. Stop! I can't keep up!
ReplyDeleteOne minute things are sprinting, Jessica and then suddenly stop again here.
DeleteSo interesting to see these comparisons Sue. I've noticed that whilst aquilegias and an iris were both in full flower on May 6th 2014, that the aquilegias are just showing colour now and the iris is still shut tight.
ReplyDeleteSame here with aquilegias, Anna. They are on my May checklist.
DeleteMagnolias are just starting to flower around here - it is a shame when the wind shortens the display. It seems we often have that issue with Peonies, except when it comes to rain - no sooner are they open, then we have a torrential rainfall and they are done.
ReplyDeleteWe had heavy rain last night and a gale this morning Margaret. We are having to grab our gardening days when we can.
DeleteYou're right Sue saying that the weather is very mixed, I would say very strange: we had 21 C some days and today 12C. My hostas are as yours this year. No one tree blossoms, the blackberry bushes only are in bloom.
ReplyDeleteIt's up and down here too Nadezda. I bet the slugs and snails are becoming impatient.
DeleteI haven't compared much yet but know for sure that many of the plants are so slow. Some of my Hostas are only just poking their noses through the surface of the soil. We are still getting frosts - will it ever end!!
ReplyDeleteAlmost immediately I noticed the bamboo missing from the picture - those stems really did stand out.
The bamboo was becoming a nuisance, Angie as it was spreading so it is now in a large pot in my sister's garden.
DeleteIt's ups and downs here - definitely later than last year when settled spring weather from Feb on wards helped everything get ahead. This year's later blooming of trees has been great, because they've missed the frosts, but the gales last week blew away the just setting fruits. We have to hope this is nature's way of thinning out, to get good sized crops rather than just quantity!
ReplyDeleteLast year we had a poor spell mid simmer so let's hope once the bad weather ends it stays away SandD. We had very heavy rain last night and gales this morning which won't have helped our apple and quince blossom or fruitlets on other trees,
DeleteCoincidentally I was looking through last year's photos the other day and noticed the laburnum in bloom several days earlier than this year. The first flowers only came out today. Which is good though, it means food for the beeeees!
ReplyDeleteThere used to be lots of laburnum near us but most seem to have gone, Lou
DeleteEverything's late here too Sue, and things are slow to germinate too. Apart from the weeds. They seem to be managing just fine!
ReplyDeleteThings on the plot are slow ti grow away too Janet
DeleteYes, we are certainly behind too! I missed out on the bluebells in the Lakes even though I went later this year to catch a glimpse of them. Your garden is looking lovely.xxx
ReplyDeleteI don;t think that the plants know where they are with all this up and down, weather, Dina. I guess it's not good for nesting birds either.
DeleteThat's big differences! Anyway they all look so lovely blooming!
ReplyDeleteIt is, Malar
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