Yes, it really was one of those March days today that Dickens so beautifully described.

The wind was biting but the sun was warm and gave the promise of sunny days ahead. And so, spring is officially here and April is close and all manner of bulbs and plants are tentatively  poking their heads out of the ground to check on conditions.

The 'wild' native primulas are blooming on the banks next to my flower studio and I was very excited to see the heart shaped leaves of the wild violets lining the lawn today.

A friend sent me a photo of a glorious display of Scillas over at Uppark (I think it was Scilla Siberica but I can't be sure) and it made me want to plant some of these fabulous bulbs in my own garden. Unfortunately, my suppliers have sold out so I've bought them in as a cut flower today instead and have been adding them to my bunches at the Cowdray Farm Shop.

The flower studio is fully stocked with bulbs of tulips, narcissi, iris, hyacinths, muscari, crocus, lily of the valley and, my all time favourite, Frittilaria. I really love putting together bulbs planters and spring wreaths and it's been extremely busy at Cowdray as the customers, like me, have been bringing the outside in.