In a Vase on Monday: In Like a Lion, Out Like a L……

How does that saying go about March? ‘In like a lion, out like a lamb?’

My Spring lamb always comes out for an airing at this time of year!

Well, our March came in like a lion, was lamb-like for a few days in between, and is going out like a lion too! A fierce cold wind had me heading indoors at the weekend. I did, however, manage to make some progress this week on the seating area in the new Words and Herbs Bed, which we made last year. I hauled lots of molehill soil to the centre and used some for planting all the climbers around the Pergola – to be shared at a later date once all the dust has settled!

As you can see, we have slopes in all directions in our garden, but rest assured the pergola IS level!

Just a bit more soil is needed and then we can sow grass seed. April looks very promising with 18°C forecast for the end of this week, and we are already noticing the garden and hedges turning green – a wonderful sight after so many colourless months.

Since the Forsythia opened outdoors this week (visible in the above photo behind the W&H Bed) I am once again using my Forsythia vase for my Monday arrangement. There were some questions about it last time, as it looks as though I have floated Forsythia flowers in the water. I have therefore photographed it before I added any flowers, so you can see the Forsythia pattern on the front …

… and the little bee on the back …

And naturally I put Forsythia in it!

Then I made a second arrangement. My little dwarf ornamental cherry tree ‘Kojou-no-mae’ is just starting to flower, and needed tidying up a little. So I cut a small sprig along with some Spiraea japonica, whose beautiful red leaves are beginning to unfurl.

The Spiraea are such lovely compact shrubs offering colour all year round. One of mine is (I think) called ‘Magic Carpet’, and the darker red one has the weird name ‘Double Play Doozie’. Where do they get these names from I sometimes wonder?

I added a couple of Hellebores and one of three tall daffodils. (What happened to the other seven I planted?!) My little ikebana style vase ended up a bit crowded, but I am simply happy to have more and more material worthy of cutting for vases.

Have you been working in your garden this week? What tasks are keeping you busy right now? I’ll be potting on some tomato seedlings soon. Exciting times!

As always, many thanks to our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Take a peek at her vase for today for more spring colour.

Happy Gardening!