Spring has sprung in an East Kent Garden

At long, long last, spring has sprung in this East Kent seaside garden. Alliums have slowly released their many hundred stamens, and are being hungrily fed on by bees of all sizes.

The poppies are breaking free of their sheaths, revealing silk-like purple and red blooms beneath.

One of our latest acquisitions, which I have named a Roo Roo (but I believe is related to the Rhubarb, but thinks it is a Ghunera) is growing bigger than I ever expected. I am hoping that it will provide some shelter for our wildlife barrel of water, so that frogs re-visit to shelter, sunbathe and spawn. Having visited Chelsea Flower Show this year, one of the most striking features for me was the splashes of orange, mainly in the form of Geum. This is reflected in the fashion for the season which appears to be nautical with a flash of orange.

To reflect this fashionable edge we have introduced some Welsh Poppies alongside our Stipa Tenuissima which amazingly has overwintered and is looking in fine-feckle.

I am so looking forward to the breaking forth of our frilly edged red, purple and pink poppies. Each flower is short lived, only lasting a week or even less if deluged, but the sumptuous pleasure that they bring is so well worth it.

Poppies by the sea

These sumptuous silky blooms have struggled somewhat against ferocious winds and torrential rain. But when there is a break in this unseemly and unseasonal June weather, these gorgeous flowers unfurl and relax, luxuriating in the warmth of the sun.

My favourite is Patty's Plum with its grey/mauve blooms, and then it has to be the reddy-black poppy whose name I forget, coming closely third is the reddy-orange Papaver Orientale and following up at the rear is the mislabelled candyfloss pink poppy which I'm slowly getting used too.

Despite these flowers doing well in my seaside garden, it's when you see their wild cousin that you really admire these tough little blooms. Wheat-laden fields are fringed with red poppies at this time of year, and it is worth snatching a walk when the weather breaks to enjoy this fleeting sight.