After an extended wet winter and early spring, with albeit relatively mild temperatures, we were a little concerned as to what damage the seemingly continuous wet conditions may have caused, but in general the garden and its plants seem to have got off to a good start.
The main areas of later performing grasses and perennials such as we have in the Decennium and Mill End borders are now starting their fast green growth that is always ignited as the temperatures warm. In the Decennium the bright yellow flowers belong to Euphorbia palustris which is always the first perennial to flower in the border; often only a matter of weeks after the annual cut back around late March.
There are plenty of flowers to be seen from the many woody plants such as cornus, berberis, magnolia, viburnum and of course the rhododendrons. Rhododendron King George was planted only a few years back in the Forum (opposite the marquee), and though still a young plant is offering pinkish white delicately scented flowers that always remind us of Spring and the Chelsea Flower Show.