April 2014 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Tim Ingram]

Anne - the only thing I can think that would keep deer away is wolves! We had a real problem with rabbits for a long time and then got a Jack Russell dog. The rabbits dispersed but the dog kept on escaping over or through the old fence! (And our garden is right alongside the motorway, and he's not the most sensible of dogs). So we had to put up a high new fence to keep the dog in! This worked and now we have the dog and no rabbits. Some sort of moral there - but I sympathise hugely with the damage that deer must cause. Jack Russell's chase just about anything, including deer in our local woods, and on several memorable and exhausting occasions (for me), sheep. We could rent him out if you would like him....

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Already a lot of colour in the garden in this early season ! 

And Gentiana clusii giving a great show on the tufa mound this year !

[ranunculus]

Excellent, Luc ... and SO early.

[ranunculus]

Pulsatilla vernalis trough
Pulsatilla vernalis close-up

[angie]

Luc, thats so lovely and like you say so much colour already. I presume you have seen the sun then.

Angie 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Luc, thats so lovely and like you say so much colour already. I presume you have seen the sun then.

Angie 

We have Angie, we have ! 
When I compare my pictures with last year, nature is between 30 and 40 (forty !!!) days earlier than last year (which was exceptionally cold as you will remember)

[Yann]

Caltha palustris var multiflora

[Yann]

Geum seedling

[Steve Garvie]

Bergenia emeiensis

An uncommon but delicate and attractive Bergenia species. I'm hoping for a wee kiss of Spring sunshine to open up the flowers.

[astragalus]

Luc, what gorgeous color!  Your garden looks wonderful.

Yann, The double caltha is wonderful and it's hardy here.  I have it growing in the stream garden where it does very well, but of course there's no sign of it yet.

[astragalus]

Tim, of course at one time we had wolves and mountain lions and a small deer population.  Then the predators were exterminated and with man's great wisdom, their prey was protected.  The result is a totally out-of-control deer population that has no fear of people.  They cause carnage on the roads, and cause many gardeners to find something else to do after years of frustration.  An 8' fence is a solution, although I'd prefer the wolves etc., because of the expense.  Also, it would be almost impossible to fence this place in because it's almost all rock.  Every time there's a sanctioned professional deer hunt to trim the population, all the Bambi lovers come out of the woodwork to protest with demonstrations.  This year they even went to court to try and get an injunction (denied).
Nice thinking with the Jack Russell!

[Yann]

Yes Caltha are pretty hardy, -20°c in a pot and still alive!

[meanie]

Nothing rare or difficult here, just a few of my favourites at the moment;

Erythronium Pagoda (rather the worse for the attention of the slugs)................


Uvularia is one of my favourites out of all my plants, no matter what time of year....................


Fritillaria uva vulpis................


F.persica was fooled into forming flower buds far too early and most got frosted. This is one of the survivors..................


An unknown self seeded Frit........................


And the beautiful Snakeshead Fritillary is another firm favourite. Simple, but always reliable. Happily self seed their hearts out too...............


Finally, Salvia discolor is happy to be back outdoors again.......................

[fermi de Sousa]

Bergenia emeiensis
An uncommon but delicate and attractive Bergenia species. I'm hoping for a wee kiss of Spring sunshine to open up the flowers.

That's a gorgeous colour, Steve!
Do you think it would survive 40^oC?
cheers
fermi

[Steve Garvie]

That's a gorgeous colour, Steve!
Do you think it would survive 40^oC?
cheers
fermi

Thanks Fermi!
I think cool and damp is what it craves -if so it will be a weed here soon!