For me, April is always the time of year when I start to enjoy getting out in the garden - the weather is sunnier, the work is more productive, and there are more pretty plants in bloom. The garden still looks a little bare, but all the signs of the promise of the season to come are there. I realised that in my previous garden posts, I've chosen only to show snippets of plants, rather than our garden as a whole, principally as the garden is not looking it's most impressive right now. But I think it's helpful to get a sense of the space as a whole, so I'm being brave and sharing a few full length shots with you ...

Although I've been out in the garden a fair bit in February, it feels like we've hit March and we're still on the cusp of spring officially arriving. I shared my big plans for the garden this year in last month's post, but most of my progress in February has been maintenance and preparation for the coming season, rather than having the joy of anything really blooming yet or seeing any huge accomplishments. But all around the garden are the signs of the promise of new blooms - the hydrangeas are looking good, and the long border is looking promising with the lupins just starting to take off now. And in the Mediterranean border, the grasses have all been cut back ...