Bloom Report April 2026

This spring has certainly lent credence to that old adage: “in like a lion, out like a lamb”. Now that we’ve entered the realm of April spring is progressing rapidly; each morning I see a new flowering face. Even the oddly named ‘Peeping Tom’ Narcissus is a welcome sight after such a harsh winter. Its reflexed petals are so unique!

It’s been a wonderful year for Magnolias. At Willowwood I’m especially partial to our older specimens, such as the ‘Royal Star’ in the cottage. Flowering at the same time is another beloved elder (planted in 1947!), the Viburnum farreri at the corner of the Cottage gate leading to the Tubbs House. I’ve caught many a visitor snapping photos and stealing a sniff of its fragrant pink flowers. As they senesce, the flowers lounge on the past-flower winter aconite below, almost giving it a second season.

Along the Cornus Mas bed leading to the Rockery in perfect flower sits Abeliophyllum distichum, planted in that very spot in 1952. Often called “white forsythia” or “miseonnamu” in its native Korean, it’s a shame this species is not often cultivated! Slow growing, its loose form lends itself to casual hedgerows and it can even be trained as a climber. 

Through to the Rockery (which is also in the process of being expanded!) you’ll be surrounded by a sea of deep blue Scilla siberica punctuated by Helleborus, emerging Epimedium and our beloved Primula elatior. This color combination – blue with soft yellow - always brings my heart joy. 

If you venture to the woodwalk, one of our more unusual species is flowering among the Pachysandra: Petasites hybridus. Later on in the season its massive leaves will unfurl, hiding seed heads and any remaining flowers. 

By Bonnie Semmling