My wife and I started gardening in Fukuoka (Japan) in 2003. There was nothing but muddy clayey sloping land. At the beginning we made several structure such as steps and paths, and planted turf, fruit trees, roses, herbs etc.
In 2010, we visited several famous English gardens, including Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Mottisfont Abbey Garden and Hidcote Manor Garden. We were shocked by the glory of those gardens. Since then, we have been trying to make small but glorious gardens by ourselves.
The wild cherry blossoms are lit up from sunset until bedtime. In the pitch-black darkness, the illuminated cherry tree emerges white, and the view is overwhelming, even majestic. By the end of this week, the cherry tree will begin to fall and spring will finally be in full swing.
The end of March is the time of year when the roses begin to grow young leaves and we start to get excited at the thought of our gardens in May, when the flowers are in full bloom.
This is the time of year when we worry a little about how beautiful the roses will be this year, when we get motivated to get ready for the many visitors we are expecting this year, and when we look forward to enjoying that intoxicating rose fragrance again.
This winter has been cold and spring seems to have arrived a week to 10 days later than last year. Many potted snowflakes have started to flower. They are very pretty white flowers.
The branches of the dogwood in the background are still brightly coloured and have not yet sprouted, but will soon be ready for pruning.
The ornamental cabbages are running to seed and getting taller and taller. The potted double hellebore, which have flowered profusely, has seed bunches that are getting a little bigger.
The roses are growing new leaves, an exciting sign that another glorious season is almost upon us.
In the bluebell garden, the trumpet daffodils and Christmas roses are in bloom now, but the bluebells will be in full bloom by the time the garden opens in April.
Flowering plants are growing well in the potager. The white Rosa banksiae is producing many flower buds. A few apple buds have started to emerge. By the time the garden opens in April, the apple trees will be in flower and the Rosa banksiae will be in full bloom.
In the main garden, the roses are starting to grow young. Echium candicans flower buds are emerging. By the time the garden opens in April, the Echium candicans, azaleas and many other flowers and plants will be in bloom.
Plums that hadn't even sprouted 10 days ago are flowering quickly in the May-like weather. But today we are back to winter-like weather.
The plum variety is Santa Rosa, with dark reddish-purple fruits that ripen in July. Their acidity makes them suitable not only for eating raw, but also for making jam.
The other day a tit stopped by the nest box on the plum tree to have a look inside, but will they really use it this year?