WHAT a blessed relief it was to see the rain last week. The soil was parched dry several inches below the surface and some of the plants in our garden were beginning to suffer. This is worrying, but for the farmers it must have been a much more serious concern.

Now we had had a few heavy showers, the plants have sprung upwards, filled with moisture and ready to flourish. Lawns are greening up, perfume fills the air and we can enjoy an English spring.

The flowering trees of April have faded, apple and cherry blossom falling in the breeze. Hawthorn, lilac and laburnum have taken their place, adding yellow and rich purple, white and rose red to the garden.

The tall lilacs in flower this month with their large, heavily scented blooms are usually varieties of Syringa vulgaris, which come in a range of colours from pure white through to deep purplish red. The flowers last about three weeks and are spectacular; the drawback could be that the tree is uninteresting for the rest of the year.

Hawthorn has a longer period of interest and although the flowers are small, they are equally impressive simply by the sheer numbers that open along the thorny stems. These are followed by berries in late summer or autumn. Hawthorn is an adaptable plant that can be grown as specimen tree, large shrub or hedge and, once established, will grow almost anywhere.

The native hawthorn is Crataegus monogyna with fragrant white flowers and red berries that looks beautiful grown alongside laburnum, which flowers at a similar time.

If space is short, one of the less vigorous ornamental, double-flowered species may be more suitable. These have tiny flowers looking like miniature roses massed on the branches. Varieties include red ‘Paul’s Scarlet’, pink ‘Rosea Flore Pleno’ and ‘Plena’, which has double white blooms.

With these, keep them pruned as small trees so the flowers can be enjoyed at eye level.


Weekend catch-up

WITH the rain has come the weeds. They popped up overnight, once the soil dampened. In flowerbeds they can be kept down by filling every space with perennials and annuals. In the veg patch, it is more difficult. The only way is to hoe the pests out before they get too big.

Askham Bryan College plant fair

APOLOGIES for omitting the date last week of Askham Bryan College’s plant sale, which takes place today from 10am-4pm, admission £5, under 18s free. The sale has been expanded to a day full of demonstrations and events.

There will be classes on turf laying, tree surgery, plant propagation, floristry demonstrations and a children’s vegetable competition. Lecturers Nigel Harrison, Dianne Anderson and technician Aaron Hickman will hold a plant surgery.

Students will be building a vegetable area outside and in the tropical house exotic ornamentals such as banana trees, coleus, bougainvillea and cacti can be seen. And hundreds of seasonal plants will be on sale.


Duncombe Park Specialist Plant Fair

Flower Power Fairs returns to Duncombe Park in Helmsley tomorrow with more than 18 specialist nurseries and growers. The Bilsdale Silver band will play in the gardens during the afternoon. There is also an exhibition of paintings, cards and china from botanical artist Janet Orme. Visitors will also be able to explore the gardens at Duncome Park. The fair is open from 11am to 4pm and admission to the fair and gardens is £4.


Open gardens

Tomorrow

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme

The Court, North Ferriby, HU14 3DW, seven miles west of Hull. Restful garden with hidden seating areas, roses and clematis on walls and trees, pond and waterfall, tunnel of wisteria, clematis and laburnum, stumpery and grown up swing. There will also be an artist in the garden. Open 1pm to 5pm, admission £3.

Hillbark, Church Lane, Bardsey, LS17 9DH, off the A58 Wetherby-Leeds road. Award winning one-acre garden with three south-facing levels, formal topiary, perennials, ponds with ducks, marginal planting, woodland area and large rambling roses. Open 11am to 5pm, admission £3.50.

Stillingfleet Lodge, Stillingfleet,YO19 6HP, six miles south of York off the B1222. Large gardens with colour-themed areas around the house leading to a wild flower area, natural pond, double herbaceous borders and modern rill garden. There are also rare breeds of poultry. The adjacent nursery will be open. Open 1pm to 5pm, admission £4.

Wednesday

24, Red Bank Road, Ripon, HG4 2LE. Small garden planted for year round interest with raised beds, rockeries and gravel areas filled with perennials, species peonies, alpines and shrubs chosen to cope with dry sun and dry shade. Open 2pm to 5pm, admission £2.50.


Gardening TV and radio

Tomorrow

9am, BBC Radio Leeds, Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

2pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. Pippa Greenwood, Bob Flowerdew, Anne Swithinbank and chairman Eric Robson answer questions at Wentworth Castle Gardens near Barnsley.

Friday

3pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. Eric Robson and his team of experts help gardeners in Clapham, North Yorkshire.

8.30pm, BBC2, Gardeners’ World. Monty Don prepares scented summer pots, Joe Swift visits a very private garden and Carol Klein helps a gardening couple who have lost many plants during the harsh winter.