April has been wind-wind-windy, with more days of lowering cloud than sun. Also, at times, it’s been piercingly cold, so definitely no casting of winter layers.
I’ve already said here how an early April gale felled the cherry plum tree that grew just over the hedge by our kitchen window. It wasn’t our tree, but part of our ‘borrowed landscape’ and somehow gave us a sense of woodedness with its gracious rustling canopy. It was a shock to find it lying across our kitchen roof.
But now it is gone, we have more light and, come supper-time, even a sunset glow atop the holly hedge. And so, as is the way with gardening, something lost is the chance for some new growing. Still to be decided.
But talking of the holly hedge (which is absolutely not my favourite part of the garden), these last two weeks it’s been alive with tiny blue butterflies. An entomologist chum told me they are Holly Blues, and not the Common Blues I’d taken them for. They travel at speed, flit and flutter, looking like flecks of fallen sky. Not easy to snap then. All of which is to say, I’m feeling more kindly towards the hedge if its the reason for the tiny blue butterfly show.
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The cold and windy weather hasn’t stopped spring happening. In fact all the winter rain is paying off around the town – the countryside fat with lush pasture and burgeoning wheat fields; hedgerows alight with blackthorn blossom, hawthorn, hazel, bright white stars of stitchwort, bluebells, dandelions. The big trees, too, are starting to green (the oaks and ashes are ever late on parade). And of course it is also the season of bright yellow spreads of oil seed rape, plus the inevitable flocks of tiny flea beetles that go with it, and then come to my garden later to devour my rocket plants or anything else related to a cabbage.
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Last week, on a bright, but still windy day, we walked up Wintles Hill behind the town to see the views and visit the elephant sculpture. The green lane ascent lived up to its name, but with masses of white stitchwort too.
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On the brow of the hill, the old barns, as usual, demanded to have their picture taken:
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On Wintles hilltop, which is always a high spot and in all senses, the wheat was just emerging, but not so vigorously as in the more sheltered, well watered valley fields. We stopped to look beyond our local hills, over the border into Wales:
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Meanwhile, back in the home garden, it is apple blossom time. The miniature eating apple trees and the three crab apples have been flowering well. Even the big old tree at the bottom of the garden is now looking lovely after a good winter prune:
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Closer to the house, the Red Devil miniature tree is looking anything but devilish. This is its first year flowering in our garden. In time, it’s supposed to produce bright red apples, which rather puts one in mind of Wicked Queens and Snow White:
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As for the rest of the garden, the daffodils and narcissi are over, the tulips on the wane, but the early summer plants are surging up: foxgloves, aquilegias, and valerian all about to flower; Welsh poppies, and Centaurea cornflowers already opening.
Today, on the last day of April, we have a cloudless blue sky and brilliant sunshine. And it’s still blowing a gale, but at least it’s a warmish one. There are times, too, when it drops, it almost feels like summer, but only for a moment.
Copyright 2026 Tish Farrell
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The Changing Seasons: April 2026 Brian at bushboys world and Ju-Lyn at Touring My Backyard are our hosts. Please pop and see what they’ve been up to this month. For one thing, Brian has a stunning gallery of birds and wallabies, and as ever, Ju-Lyn has been cooking up a storm in her kitchen – so many mouth-watering creations.
Lovely, as usual, Tish.
Many thanks, Ian.
So Beautiful.
Many thanks 🙂
What a beautiful garden you have Tish. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks, Anne
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I meant to say to Ruth (Walking Away) that I’m lucky and rapeseed doesn’t seem to affect me, but I really would like to find some bluebells this weekend xx
The rape pollen can have a v. bad affect on some people. Which is a bit tough when so much of it is grown. Good luck with the bluebells. Our town gardens are full of the Spanish variety. I pick mine to stop them multiplying. I like them in the house, but get cross with them in the garden and the way they grow in amongst other plants.
The Shropshire countryside is looking lovely as is your garden. A good job the fallen tree didn’t damage your glass roof! I’m in Dorset this week and there are a lot of bluebells around. And yes, wind!
Shropshire is looking lovely, Jude, and yes, we were lucky that the tree didn’t reach the skylight, or do any other damage. Got to thank the hedge for fending it off.
Love you holly blues butterflies! Lots going on this time of year, beautifully described by you. Exciting time of year!
It is exciting, Agnes 🙂
Glad the tree didn’t do much damage Tish. Holly Blues are so beautiful. I have lots of small blues here a lot of the time. Love your garden and the countryside views.
Thanks for joining in The Changing Seasons 😀
Thanks for the hosting, Brian. Much appreciate that you and Ju-Lyn kept this challenge going.
You’re welcome Tish
Even though I know about Bishop’s Castle’s relationship with the elephant, it was till a shock to see one lumbrering across the landscape in one of your lovely photos, complementing a post evocative of the month just gone.
Well, the elephant still surprises us too, especially when you walk across the field and just glimpse it through the trees. It’s v. realistic seen like that. And a bit weird! The campsite is nearby and the owner’s old stone house has faux crenellation and (I noticed the other day) I full sized armoured knight flourishing his sword (I think) over the ‘battlements’. I’ve not been able to discover much about the artist who made all these works. There’s also a life-size warthog and hoglet in the garden at the bottom of our road, rusting nicely against the rockery backdrop.
Warthogs eh? I’ll be cominng back On Safari at this rate.
Ha!
We seem to have been luckier in our April weather than you, though we have had a lot of wind and quite a sharp one at that! I’m glad to see so many signs of spring in your post despite the weather. I love the blue butterflies – well worth putting up with the holly bush for 😀 And of course I also love seeing your elephant set incongruously in this so-English landscape!
Yes, Indian ele in Shropshire countryside – what’s not to like 🙂
We’ve been way luckier than you weather wise.
I think we must be in a very drafty corner of Shropshire 🙂
I reckon you must!
So beautiful!
Thank you, Jennie.
You’re welcome, Tish.
Beautiful landscape images and the tiny blue butterfly. Happy spring days!
Happy days to you too, Rupali.
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