Last of early spring flowers and going potty

The weather today has been as predicted - early light rain and cloud clearing to a sunny afternoon. Two of the three waterbutts are full. The third isn't, which makes me suspect a blocked drain pipe, and the pond is still a good inch plus below full. The House Martins have a lot of repair work to do on their nests so do hope that there is enough mud around for them.

The arrival of the House Martins made me aware of the last of what I would deem early spring flowers. The last of the Narcissi in my garden are the most perfumed.

Double flowered late flowering narcissi

Very last blossoms on Amalanchia lamarckii (Snowy mesipilis)

Amalanchia is my favourite spring flowering shrub, one of the reasons being that it has an added bonus of red autumn leaves. It can grow to a small tree - mine got moved as part of the redesign 5 years ago and pruned back heavily at that time. It has stayed shrub height ever since although I would love for it to be a small tree again!

The first of the photos of the mid spring flowerings is a pairing I particularly like - pure green and white. Taking it made me aware about how the Hosta leaves had rapidly appeared in the last few days. I have a number growing in pots that have overwintered against the house wall. Lo and behold the pot grown hostas were even more advanced than the one below, so my main task today has been to top dress all pots and move those that have been in shelter further out towards their summer placings.

Dicentra Spectabilis Alba (White Beelding Heart/Dutchman's Britches) behind variegated Hosta

in the small bed to the left of the pond

The Dicentra is happy in light shade but also in full sun, which is where this grouping is, as long as it stays moist. It dies back after flowering (mid-late summer). Penstomen 'Garnet' then covers the area. Dicentra needs a 'do not disturb' sign on. Its brittle roots do not lend well to splitting or moving. In theory you can take root cuttings in spring.

I think the Hosta is named 'Francee'. At the least it is very similar. It survives the sun as it will be shaded by Solomon's Seal, Penstemon and ferns within a few weeks. Being so close to the pond this hosta is protected from slug damage by the resident frogs and toads. The pots with Hostas and Lilies in them have a ring of copper tape just below the rim. Very effective!

My big tip for Hostas - to retain the leaves as the main feature remove all flower spikes. If you don't then the plant will lose vigour much earlier. Hosta flower spikes last well as a cut flower.