April in the Garden

When looking at a property to buy, the land was our most important consideration. Without a decent plot upon which to grow food, and raise animals, our project would not be viable. Sellers would be keen to show off their interior decoration, but we'd be itching to pull on our boots and take a spade to the soil. We rejected beautiful properties because the land was too boggy, too high elevation, too shaded, or just far less area than was advertised.

The Ladybird Farm is just right. The house is perfect for our needs, and the 4 acre field is ideal. What we weren't expecting, was a beautiful garden. It wraps right around the house, with most being on the east and south sides. It has been well tended, and there has been something in flower every month, so far. We are going to follow the usual advice and not make any major changes to the garden in the first year; we'll wait and see what comes up. We're going to record here what there is, month by month. There are a few plants we don't recognise, so any suggestions on plant names, or even varieties, will be much appreciated.

April in Teesdale, and there are plenty of daffodils still in flower (in Yorkshire they're pretty much over). There are some still in bud, too. I've counted more than 20 varieties, and plenty tucked away, ripe for cutting and having in the house.

 The pond is blooming, though the pump has given up the ghost. The pond is a future project for us.

 Anyone have an idea what this plant is?

Still plenty of drumstick primula in flower; many shades of purple.

 We have a beautiful yellow daisy; again, can anyone name the plant, please?

There are lots of primula around the house, interspersed with miniature daffodils and crocuses.

We have a medlar tree (commonly known as devil's a**e; if we get fruit, I'll show you why, later!). Looking forward to collecting fruit from this.

 Flowering currant in the walled garden, and a forsythia by the front gate. I'm not a huge fan, but they are out of the way, so stay for now.