Six on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 17.3.18.

No doubt The Propagator will have sown himself into a sweaty mess on the floor of his greenhouse this week. If you haven’t already (and let’s face it, you have, haven’t you?),check out his awe-inspiring blog at: https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com

Meanwhile, here is my week in six photos:

1. “A host of golden daffodils”, as Wordsworth had it, tramping round the Lake District. My host was in the more prosaic surrounds of Woodford Green, in the middle of a large roundabout. To be honest, a lot of daffs leave me cold: too big, too coarse, too common, dying loudly. However, in huge drifts, and in this case, in well-behaved short form, they can be stunning. I nearly got run over getting this shot, so they must have something to them. 2. Blossom time is just so uplifting. I love the constellations of flower in this Cherry up the street from my house. Gorgeous. neither my daff nor my cherry photo can do the real things any kind of justice. Lost in rapture.

3. Helleborus foetidus* Sometimes you see plants growing that are in the prime of health, at the peak of perfection and just loving life. Such a plant was this Hellebore, in a shady spot near the bins, in the front garden of a new client. Green is such a great colour. Simple and classy. *Correction, argutifolius, with thanks to Ali.

4. Same garden, a few metres away, was a group of Crocus (“King of the Striped”?). Now, regular readers will know that I am prejudiced against blowsy, bright and bold colours generally. I wouldn’t plant it in my garden, but it is certainly putting on a show.

5. I returned to one of my original little gardens this week. A tiny courtyard in Bethnal Green. Everything has to be in a pot and look after itself. It amazed and pleased me to see how much had come through the Winter snows looking good. Pelargonium sidoides was in rude good health in the middle top  there. Particularly handy given that I killed my two cuttings roasting them by the radiator. Amazing what a warm microclimate can do.

6. Anigozanthos flavidus. Which is a mouthful in anyone’s language. In Aussie terms, Roo Paw, because they look like them. Against my better judgement I bought this packet of seed in Australia at Christmas and sowed them because I just fell in love with the plant and simply had to try growing them. In a pot, if they reach maturity. Well, stage one of the process is underway, as there are tiny signs of life. Come on!