The First Bluebells

Today, on the last day of March, I saw the first bluebells this spring. Pretty little things, they're growing in a sheltered spot near the daffodil walk in Cannizaro Park.

To find out when and where Britain's bluebells bloom, the National Trust has launched a Bluebell Watch map; you can record your own bluebell sightings via Twitter.

The National History Museum is also running a bluebell survey, which is focusing on on the timings when bluebell flowers first appear this year.

Golders Hill Park in Spring

Cherry tree in Golders Hill Park - 23 March 2011

When I'm walking around Hampstead Heath, I usually pay Golders Hill Park a visit, too. It's just around the corner from the Pergola and Hill Garden.
(I'll write more about Golders Hill Park at a later date.)

I've already been to Golders Hill Park a few times this year, this was where I saw my first crocuses in the beginning of February, and this early flowering rhododendron a couple of weeks later.
Most recently, I visited the park on a sunny spring morning, to take the photos featured in this post; mainly of the beautifully blossoming cherry tree, which I love seeing every spring.

As I've already collected quite a few pictures, I've now created a new set that I hope to update with more soon: Golders Hill Park in Spring 2011


Golders Hill Park on a spring morning - 23 March 2011


Daffodils in the flower garden - 23 March 2011


Daffodils, with the bandstand in the background - 23 March 2011

Daffodils at Kenwood House

When spring has sprung on Hampstead Heath, there are many things to see. For me, personally, the daffodils at Kenwood House are the most impressive sign of spring there currently; there are many of them, and they look so cheerful.

This springtime scene actually looks like it's somewhere in the English countryside, doesn't it? This is London, too.


Kenwood House, seen from the daffodil meadow - 23 March 2011


Daffodils at Kenwood House - 23 March 2011

Magnolias at Kew Gardens

Magnolias and daffodils, looking towards the Azalea Garden - 23 March 2011

It's magnolia time at Kew. They've brought another touch of spring to the gardens--not only do their flowers look beautiful, but their scent is ever so lovely. Spring is in the air now.

The magnolia collection can be found off the Princess Walk, near the Azalea Garden. It's a beautiful place, there are daffodils growing underneath the trees, their yellow flowers complimenting the pink and cream of the magnolia blossoms. There are many benches to sit and enjoy this sweet spring scene.


Looking from the Azalea Garden towards the magnolia trees - 23 March 2011


Magnolia X loebneri 'Leonard Messel' - 23 March 2011

I visited Kew Gardens twice last week; my photos, including many of magnolias, can be found in these two sets: Kew Gardens 23/03/2011 and 21/03/2011

The Spring Meadow at Fenton House

I visited Fenton House in Hampstead today, where the spring meadow in the orchard garden is looking beautiful now, with daffodils and scilla blooming underneath the apple trees.


The spring meadow in the orchard garden at Fenton House - 19 March 2011


Daffodils in the orchard garden at Fenton House - 19 March 2011


Daffodils and scilla at Fenton House - 19 March 2011


Daffodils at Fenton House - 19 March 2011


The orchard garden at Fenton House in spring - 19 March 2011

Cannizaro Park in March

Crocus time is almost over now in Cannizaro Park. The early springtime display of the little purple flowers at the Crocus Walk has faded, with the first daffodils appearing instead now there as well.
The pictures below are from a visit yesterday. I'm planning to go back to Cannizaro Park in a few weeks' time, when the daffodils are in full bloom.

In a more shady corner of the park, some crocuses are still looking good, presenting a lovely spring scene. A few rhododendrons are in bloom; one had lost many of its blossoms, creating a bizarrely beautiful path of pink petals. The camellias are looking gorgeous now.


Crocus meadow in Cannizaro Park - 8 March 2011


Pink petal path in the Rhododendron Walk area of the park - 8 March 2011


Rhododendron petals lying on the ground - 8 March 2011


Pink rhododendron petals - 8 March 2011


Camellia blossoms in Cannizaro Park - 8 March 2011

Daffodils at Kew Gardens

The daffodils are coming out now in Kew Gardens. Many of them are already looking wonderful, some are waiting for a little more sun--with the current warm weather, it won't be long until they are all in bloom.

There are many daffodils growing in the gardens; particularly beautiful displays can be found along the Broad Walk, and at the Temple of Aeolus as well.
I always love the area between the Princess Walk and the Azalea Garden, too; it looks lovely in spring, with crocuses and daffodils growing underneath the magnolia trees.


Daffodils at Kew Palace - 7 March 2011


Daffodils along the Broad Walk - 7 March 2011


Daffodils on the Broad Walk, looking towards the Orangery - 7 March 2011


Daffodils near the Azalea Garden - 7 March 2011


Daffodils at the Temple of Aeolus - 7 March 2011