The first signs of spring

The northern hemisphere has now officially entered spring.  I’m welcoming it with eager anticipation after virtually doing two winters back to back. While Malvern hasn’t had a terribly brutal winter, our one in Wagga Wagga was wet and grey, so it feels like there hasn’t been much variation in the weather in the last six months. Doing two cold seasons consecutively though does makes you appreciate the hints nature gives, which shows the chill is almost over.

Our little garden is starting to come to life.  A few weeks ago I posted a picture on Instagram of a little pot of narcissus bulbs I’d discovered beside our front door.  Over the last week or so, those bulbs have started to flower!  Tiny yellow daffodils now welcome Adam and I home every day.  They’re such a bright, happy colour you can’t help but smile looking at them.

There are a couple of wizened rose bushes in our front yard and they too and starting to awaken from their winter slumber.  Shoots of tiny, new green leaves are sprouting and I can’t wait to see what colour flowers the bushes produce. I’m looking forward to being able to walk out the front door and pick bunches of roses.  I’ve started saving glass jars from the kitchen in the hope that they’ll soon be full of beautiful smelling blooms.

A few other plants have started to flower in the garden too.  One I recognise – a pink almond blossom – all cotton candy like, with petals so delicate.

The other I’m not so sure about… any keen gardeners out there recognise what this is?!

Around Malvern snow drops are also starting to emerge.  They’re so tiny and I love the way the flowers droops over.

I’m also terribly excited to see the Malvern Hills’ bluebells. The hills are famous for their carpets of bluebells come April and May and it’s one of those ‘quintessential British’ experiences Adam can’t wait to share with me.  I’m also looking forward to seeing the hills in all their green splendour too.  They were spectacular in all their autumn glory when we arrived in late October and over the last few months we’ve appreciated their starkness in during winter, but I’ve got a feeling they’ll be something else covered in new foliage and flowers.

I’ve always said autumn is my favourite season, but perhaps a spring in England could change that! What’s your favourite season where you live, and why?