Orange Poppy - April 2017

After a couple of weeks of very nice warm spring weather, it had turned decidedly colder over the Easter holiday weekend, although it remained dry and sunny.

The sudden drop in temperature didn't seem to bother the Welsh Poppies (Meconopsis cambrica) though as they made a welcome return to dad's garden.

Queen of the Night - April 2017

The Tulips (Tulipa) were still going strong, and this Queen of the Night variety was just about ready to open up her petals.

Pink Azalea - April 2017

The small pink Azalea bush had started blossoming, and was covered in pairs of these lovely bright pink blooms.

Honeysuckle Bush Blossom - April 2017

I've posted pictures of this blossom before, but have only just found out the name of it from my friends over at Garden Tags. It's actually a form of Honeysuckle (Lonicera) called Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), and I'm definitely going to have to take cuttings and get some in my own garden!

Cherry Blossom - April 2017

The Cherry Tree (Prunus) blossom was still going strong and looked wonderful in these big pinky white bunches.

Spiraea - April 2017

The Spiraea bush was also continuing to bloom, and had lots and lots of these globe like bunches of small florets.

Green Alkanet - April 2017

I know this Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) is considered a weed by many, and it probably is, but it's vital at this time of year to help support the insect population, and it actually looks quite pretty when you take a close look at it.

Blue Bluebell - April 2017

While the Green Alkanet may not be green, the Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) were definitely blue...

White Bluebell - April 2017

...well, most of them were!

Pollen Patroller - April 2017

In spite of the cold, there were still a few insects to be found going about their business! This busy Bee was enjoying the Forget me Nots (Myosotis)...

Three's a Crowd - April 2017

...and these three Flies (Diptera) were enjoying sunning themselves on a leaf.

Bluebells - April 2017

Over in my garden, I had English Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), which were definitely blue.

First Cirsium - April 2017

My first Cirsium flower bud had appeared, and if anything like last year, would have the bees flocking around it any time soon.

Solomon's Seal - April 2017

I was very pleased to see one of my Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) plants popping up. It's the first time I have grown them, and I was a little concerned when they both disappeared after I planted them last autumn.

Frilled - April 2017

At this time of the year, my garden really belongs to the Tulips though. This frilly one appeared in a new border I created last year with bulbs from last spring.

Peaches and Cream - April 2017

This Tulip Peaches and Cream is probably my favourite Tulip in the garden at the moment...

Wedding Gift - April 2017

...although it's a close run thing between that and this Tulip variety Wedding Gift.

Not Quite Green Eyes - April 2017

The Daffodil's (Narcissus) are nearly finished for another year, and after the disappointment last week of variety Green Eyes not actually having a dark green centre, at least the petals are turning white!

Injured Tabby - April 2017

So, what of my photogenic feline friend? Last week I said we thought he'd been hit by a car, and despite him now looking a whole lot better than he did, he has still got a limp, and fear he may have a broken leg. He hasn't lost any of his personality though, as you can see him here asking for attention!

Battle Scarred - April 2017

He couldn't open his left eye last week either, so there's a big improvement there, although he's still showing battle scars across his face, from where he tangled with whatever it was that hit him.

So, this week I'm making Orange Poppy my Image of the Week, simply because I think they look so photogenic when you get in so close to them...