Irises

I hope to grow lots of irises this year, They are one of my favourite flowers and I dont think deer eat them, This is especially important as a pair of deer seem to have taken up residence in our garden. My first purchase of the year was an Algerian Iris bought at the Hardy Plant Society February meeting



http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3291


Iris reticulata are always one of the first signs of spring,


http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Harlow-Carr/About-Harlow-Carr/Plant-of-the-month/March/Iris-reticulata


I would also like to grow Tigridia again. I grew them in pots on the patio in the 1990s when we had a spell of hot summers and mild winters and they self seeded in the patio cracks, They have all disappeared so hope to be successful with new bulbs


http://www.google.com/imgres?

The sun is shining and today it really does feel as though spring is coming. The last week has been bitterly cold. We were on the Isle of Wight visiting our son's family yesterday and it was just as cold there with icy winds. We went to the Chequers in Rookley to eat in the evening and I had a delicious 'veggie roast' from their carvery.  

http://www.chequersinn-iow.co.uk/index.php

 

My small grandson Bobby stayed with us for 2 nights last week. I took him to our local Farm Shop. As we arrived there I heard a little voice from the back of the car saying 'Polar Bears Nanna'. He had seen the alpacas ! He really enjoyed his visit especially as he was allowed to feed the chickens and look for eggs

 http://www.elmnursery.co.uk/Elm_Nursery/Home.html

 

 

Our first taste of spring last month was a visit to the Central Parks in Southampton

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/s-leisure/parksgreenspaces/citycentreparks/default.aspx

 

Here are some of the early spring flowers Bobby and I  saw there 

Victoria Garden in Farnham is a delightful Town Centre Garden. I visited it on my way home from 'Unravel' a fantastic knitting/crochet show held annually at Farnham Maltings

These Daffodils were one of the first signs of spring in my garden

 Broad Beans plants in a tub in the greenhouse