While quite a few of my seedlings appear to have stalled a little (I’m trying not to worry as it’s early days yet and a lack of sun and warmth is hopefully to blame), established plants out in the garden are sporting lots of lush new growth. And that leads me, with surprising swiftness, to my fist Six on Saturday…
1. Roses. I’ve added quite a few to the garden over the past 12 months, planting them within easy sniffing distance of the paths and patio. They received their second feed of the year last weekend and the foliage is looking nice and healthy and surprisingly red. Inevitably, aphids have begun to take up residence (although a wren was picking them off yesterday) and I’m sure black spot will affect some, but I’m hoping for fragrant blooms aplenty over the summer.

2. A new purchase up next, acquired during a visit to Hestercombe Gardens over the Easter Weekend. The stand had a label noting what sort of Primula this was but naturally I’ve completely forgotten its name. Hopefully I’ll be able to split it in a year or two and gradually dot it here and there. That’s the plan anyway, although plans don’t always go to… err… plan.

3. Take Anemone blanda for example. Over the years I’ve planted quite a few of these, mostly dug up from my mother-in-law’s garden where they multiply happily. Yet for some reason they refuse to do the same in my garden, disappearing over time. This plant was spotted in the outdoor plant section of Morrisons the other week and before I knew what was happening I was scanning it at the self-service checkout. Fingers crossed it will appear again next spring.

4. I was still recovering from Covid when I planted the tulips back in November and apparently I wasn’t totally with it when it came to labelling what was what. That’s my excuse anyway. These two pots were labelled ‘Blue Lagoon.’ They’re not, and after checking through my tulip orders I think they must be ‘Violet Beauty.’ I haven’t found a pot labelled ‘Violet Beauty’ though which is rather worrying. Hopefully they’re lurking somewhere.

5. Growing close by is this pretty Narcissus ‘Xit.’ Xit has but one fault – the flowers point downwards, rather like a Hellebore, so you have to lift the flowers up or lie on your back to fully appreciate them.

6. And finally… In the past the Pasque flower out the front has tended to get swamped by its neighbours. But I’ve been much better at giving this furry leaved, shiny purple and yellow beauty its own space lately. I had another one out the back (the offspring of this plant) but I fear it is no more.

They were my Six on Saturday. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, take a look at the site of the chap who started it all over at https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.