The crab apple, Malus Evereste is a delight to behold every May. It’s Spring – the days are getting longer and we can finally feel warmth in the afternoon air. April winds tear through this little garden at a ferocious rate, then ease off at the beginning of May, I was happy and relieved that the old crab apple hadn’t flowered too early this year.

But the reprieve from the wind was short-lived as once again it tore through the trees, the bushes and the flowers at the start of the week. The blossom was just opening on the Malus when the grass below started to turn white. Our littlest grandson had gone into the garden to play and returned within minutes calling out, “Quick Gran, come and see this”. It’s becoming a regular cry when he discovers something new. This time he spotted the petals strewn across the grass. I stood him under the tree and shook one of the lower branches. The blossom came tumbling down on his head and he squealed with joy.

Try as I might, I can’t be joyful to see the blossom on the grass when it’s just at the start of its fabulous annual display. It made a little four-year-old happy and that mattered. However, by Wednesday afternoon, the winds had eased a little and although mornings continued to be cold, afternoons have been pleasantly warm and sunny. Even though the grass, from a short distance, looks as though it’s covered in white daisies the tree is still packed with pretty pink and white blossom and bright red buds. I think that’s a win for the tree.

The tulips have been outstanding this year, a real joy – and they haven’t finished yet. This is Tulip ‘Uncle Tom’ a beautiful, almost rose-like double, in rich dark red. On last week’s Six, ‘Uncle Tom’ was just opening its lovely blooms, this week I noticed that a few tulips in a pot had developed curvy stems, which didn’t make them any less lovely but did make me head straight back into the garden to get the camera. Then I got so caught up in the photograph that I completely forgot what I had intended to do in the garden. (This is a regular occurrence these days).

Tulip Green Star is described as having “goblet-shaped flowers, with pointed white petals flamed with green along the midrib”, “spiky reflexing petals suspended on fine sturdy stems” and “a distinctive petal shape which points right out to a five-pointed star”. I can’t see this tulip in any of those descriptions. I bought the bulbs because I loved the beautiful curvy shape. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice tulip with clear white petals and green stripes, but I just can’t see ‘Green Star’ anywhere in there.

I love Bacopa in the garden; it flowers for months and its small white trailing flowers look fabulous in pots and planters dotted around the garden. Last autumn I took a few plants into the greenhouse because I’d read that they can sometimes survive through the winter months if given protection. They didn’t. I normally buy ‘Gulliver White’ but because I was so late doing everything garden-related I didn’t manage to get seeds, seedlings or plug plants. So when I spotted some unnamed Bacopa in 9cm pots at a local garden centre, I took them. They’ve been in the cold frame and are now hardened off and ready to plant…weather conditions permitting!

Last of the Narcissus. I think this is Narcissus ‘Minnow’ but I can’t be completely sure. They were the last to flower and now the last to say farewell until next year. Today I’ll deadhead them, they’ve been pretty.

Finally, some mixed Tulips. The dark burgundy red is T. Palmyra and has been stunning, but now it’s time to start deadheading a few of the flowers. They’ve all been great and I’ve so enjoyed looking at them and photographing them. Once they have gone I feel that there’s going to be a big gap before the Dahlias take their place. Speaking of dahlias…only seven tubers have sprouted so far. How are yours doing?

That’s all for this week’s Six on Saturday. Our forecast is warning of thundery showers today. I hope it doesn’t come to that because our old picnic table is being taken apart today to make way for a nice new table that I still have to decide on. I’m leaning towards one with industrial steel legs and a nice chunky top, along with matching benches. Something very informal. I won’t have a trowel or secateurs in my hands today; if the rain stays away it’ll be a screwdriver or hammer.

Jim is currently hosting Six on Saturday, and if you pop over to his blog you will see what others have been sharing – there will be beautiful plants and flowers from all over the world, you might want to join in, everyone is welcome!

Have a happy day, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. 😊