May’s weather has been terrible with storms rolling in from the Atlantic on regular pulses. At times, you cannot stand up as the gale force winds have been too strong. Storm debris is everywhere but the dumps of rain interspersed with warm sunny days has led to good growth conditions. Everywhere you look it is a tapestry of greens. It is the plants’ shapes and textures that give the variety and depth.

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As spring turns to summer tomorrow, there are pops of pinks and purples bursting through. Just look at these delightful aliums, erigeroons, chives, and trailing geraniums. They have given good service over the years.

And no less impressive are the old wisteria and clematises. I have no idea how they have the strength to hold on when the storms blast in, but they do.

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There is much more to come as the rose bushes are covered in buds. And there are new plants too – we are trying gladioli and anemones this year, plus more of the old troopers, agapanthuses and poppies. Will they stand up to the winds? We shall see. My room with a view is a great place to watch the storms and write my novel. Having restructured the story, it is behind schedule but half the chapters are now complete. It is a labour of love, like working in the garden.

Come back next time for news of the novel and the feast of bud bursts that will mark summer has arrived.