Spring in the garden at Moseley Old Hall

Picking Herbs for the house in the Herb Garden

As we roll into February the gardens are already starting to wake up, with flushes of hellebores and crocuses, and bright pockets of snowdrops emerging through the leaf-litter.

From March, the cheerful golden trumpets of daffodils throughout the orchard and farmyard herald the arrival of spring, and the opening of the first blossom along the edges of the meadow. The display usually begins with the cherries and plums; followed soon after by apples, pears and quince in the gardens. 
 

Spring
Moseley Old Hall daffodils
Spring

By Easter the chequered heads of fritillaries can usually be found sprouting along our Nutwalk, shortly before the whole border is blanketed with a heady carpet of wild garlic. 

Fritillaria in the Nut Walk at Moseley Old Hall
Fritillaria in the Nut Walk at Moseley Old Hall
Fritillaria in the Nut Walk at Moseley Old Hall

Last of the bulbs to emerge are the tulips, from the bright and blousy ‘Estella Rynveld’ along the parterre, to the more dainty pastel tones of T. clusiana ‘Cynthia’ and ‘Peppermintstick’ through the borders during early May.

Rembrandt tulips in the garden at Moseley Old Hall
Rembrandt tulips in the garden at Moseley Old Hall
Rembrandt tulips in the garden at Moseley Old Hall