It’s been a tricksy month weatherwise. The leafing trees and blooming bulbs have been saying spring. Likewise the few days of blue sky and warmth that lured us, wantonly, to cast off clouts and dream of summer days. But then next, to put us right, came winds, icy, perishing blasts under leaden skies, and it was back to triple woollies.

Towards the end of the month came another false spring. As we drove out of Shropshire and down to Warwickshire its arrival seemed so certain. More blue skies. Banks of daffodils and primroses on every roadside. The blackthorn and wild cherry blossom running riot in dazzling white arcades; hawthorn hedges bursting in greens too green to imagine.

We were off for a few days beside the river at Bidford-on-Avon, on the fringes of ‘Shakespeare Country’. (It’s said that Will took part in a riotous drinking contest at the Falcon Inn in Bidford). It is also known for its ancient bridge, built in the fifteenth century, downstream of an an even more ancient Roman ford on the Icknield Way.

We arrived on a perfect afternoon. And so the spell held – for another day.

Our spot on the river with narrow boats moored alongside

*

*

And then it was back to grey skies and sharp winds. But we still enjoyed a ramble round the mostly slumbering ‘garden rooms’ at Hidcote Manor, the must-see creation for passionate gardeners and plant lovers, and one of the Cotswolds’ biggest visitor attractions. But as you can see, signs of spring, apart from the magnolias, were few and far between. This is definitely a summer garden:

*

There was an amusing sighting though. I stopped to take a photo of the couple at the gates, and then realised they were watching a little robot lawnmower trundling back and forth between the hedges. It seemed to have its work cut out:

*

We also came upon a novel way to display (actually get to see) hellebore flowers, which do so hide their faces when growing out in the garden – a shallow dish filled with water:

It’s actually been a fine season for hellebores – even if it is hard to see the flowers. These were spotted at Hillers’ garden centre near Bidford.

*

*

On our final evening we walked along the riverbank accompanied now and then by swans. I think they were hoping for a hand-out:

*

Now home again, the little tulips in the front garden make a bright show. At least they do when the sun comes out. At the moment as I write this they are closed up tight under gloomy cloud. Also waiting for spring…

*

The Changing Seasons: March 2026 This month Brian from Bushboys World is the host. Please go and see his marvellous gallery of March sightings.