Tales from the Garden- Redcroft in Early Spring,

Prunus yedoensis

After a long period of cold winds, rain and occasional frosts, last week we had some exceptionally beautiful days here in Edinburgh and the garden quite suddenly sprung to life. The lawn has been rigorously scarified and looks from a distance as though it has been neatly mown. Some of the daffodils and the early rhododendrons are out, and so is some of the blossom. We are now well in to Spring. This photo, taken on Monday 23^rd March, of the blossom of Prunus yedoensis captures that lovely moment when the buds are pink and the petals are white.

Camellia ‘Donation’ and Mahonia bealiei

There are lovely  camellias in many Edinburgh gardens. This pink one, ‘Donation’ which is perhaps the most common, is always one of the highlights here at this time of year. It forms part of a wall of evergreens just outside the back door.  It shares the space with bright yellow Mahonia bealei seen here (creating that colour combination approved by Christopher Lloyd), Skimmia ‘Kew Green’ and Sarcococca confusa and all of these are beautifully scented.

Trillium sessile chloropetalum

These Trilliums  are slightly mysterious, although appropriately named as leaves, flowers and other parts are all in threes.  Their flowers are dark maroon, and the leaves all seem to have different blotches.  I had thought that Trilliums were difficult to propagate, and we have lost several other types, partly because they disappear so completely in the summer and it is easy to forget about them.  This one is unusually tall and seeds itself profusely; it seems to enjoy the gravel under this mossy trunk of an old double cherry.  I think it is Trillium sessile chloropetalum.

Euphorbia myresinitis

Also enjoying the gravel are these Euphorbia myresinitis. Lately there seem to have been a number of good new Euphorbias, specially of this lime green. This one is a succulent and has stood the test of time, as it was introduced from South Europe in the 1750s. In some places it is considered invasive, but here it confines itself to discreetly encircling the trunk of our old warty holly tree.

Corydalis under variegated Pieris

I like the way this pink Corydalis peeps out from under the variegated Pieris. Two of the Pieris were planted in the rockery many years ago, and they have grown incredibly slowly. Now they have matured and are looking good.

Fritillaria imperialis

These crown imperials, or Fritillaria imperialis, are more or less flowering together, which is surprising as they are in three separate pots from different years, and have been left to their own devices. When planted in the garden here they have almost never flowered after the first year, but you do sometimes see them growing in wonderful profusion in other people’s gardens, and I remember seeing a photo of them growing wild on a Turkish mountain. It is well worth growing them in pots for they are spectacular and flower very early.

Polyanthus

I love these pale purple Polyanthus given to me by a friend who grew them from seed.  In the front of what we call the Greenhouse Bed, as there used to be a huge vine house here which we demolished, we have a disorganised row of a variety of polyanthus in bright colours, and assorted anemones also in vivid colours which flower later.  I know it would look a lot better if it was more coherent with less dotting and randomness.

Even though we see far fewer frogs than we did a few years ago, we still have plentiful clumps of frogspawn.  I try to protect them from the greedy mallards and the heron who only visits us when this delicious jelly is on offer.

Tortoiseshell Butterfly on blue Chionodoxa

We have a good collection of birds feasting on the sunflower seeds in our bird feeder: bullfinches, greenfinches and goldfinches, and occasionally a great spotted woodpecker.  I have only seen a few ladybirds and 3 butterflies so far but managed to catch this Small Tortoiseshell which landed on the blue Chionodoxa (now to be known as a Scilla) or glory of the snow which seeds in many places here.

At this time of year we always have the garden opening in mind.  It is on Sunday 10th May, 2pm to 5pm.  I hope Caley members will support it.  The garden should be in good shape and we will have a very good tea and a plant sale. Children are very welcome, as well as dogs on leads.

Anna Buxton 23^rd March 2026

Photos taken recently at Redcroft by Anna