Old And New

The Rose Golden Wedding has lots of new plump buds on the green stems. The leaves survived the snow and the rain to hold on. New buds show that the promise of a new growing season is close. My favourite buds to look at are the Lilac Tree's. They are a mixture of green and red. Once they start to swell and grow I know Spring will be here.

A survivor from last years original planting is this yellow Primula. It has been quietly growing since last Spring, almost dying back. But it has regrown with vigour, and the curled up flower buds are a lovely vibrant yellow colour. About five Primulas are still growing in the right hand border. I cant wait to see their beautiful flowers with the pheasents eye in the centre.
I was reading about gardening programs on the BBC. Gardeners World had lost over 2 million viewers with its new basic approach, and gimmicks. It has been reduced to thirty minutes, and aimed at the experienced gardeners that turned off in the past year.
One of my garden hero's is Monty Don, and on Thursday he was back on the tv. Presenting a program called "My Dream Farm". He helps out six couples who want to leave an urban existance for the countryside and a working farm.
He looked back to his old self (He had to leave Gardeners world last year due to his punishing schedule effecting his health). He is a total garden fanatic and loves horticulture. He has the earth ingrained into his hands and into his blood. He is knowledgeable and passionate about gardening, growing vegetables, and returning people to the natural world that they have lost sight of. He is also president of the Organic Soil Growers association.
The other legend of Gardening returning is Alan Titchmarsh. He is due to make a series of programs about the great British public gardens, visiting them, and seeing how they are run.
The mixture of old and new seems to work in the garden, as well as on the TV.