I’m very fortunate to have such lovely gardening clients, although I think most of them were a little surprised the first time I asked if I could film in their garden.
“Film in my garden? What do you want to film?” they would ask me.
But after a couple of years, they’re the ones texting me to bring my camera.
“Joe, there’s a lovely plant flowering, and I think you should capture it”.
So, I want to take a moment to show you a few of my favourite spring flowering plants I found in clients’ gardens this year.
Watch the video and read on for more details:
Let’s look at a few of them in a little more detail.
Geranium pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ – Hedgerow cranesbill
I’ve never been a big fan of Geranium. Maybe it’s because they’re so popular and I’m being “a rebel”. But G. pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ really caught my eye this year.
I had a similar experience with Geum last year.
For years, I’d associated Geranium with gardens that I hadn’t particularly enjoyed. Gardens of friends in the North East of England, packed full of the same pink-flowered Geranium that had spread unchecked.
When plants grow so abundantly, they risk losing their charm.
However, seeing Geranium pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ growing under a birch tree in some long grass alongside Fritillaria meleagris. It just felt right.
Mimicking nature isn’t just about giving the plant what it needs
I used to think that mimicking nature was about creating the conditions a plant needed to thrive, and that is partly true. But plants as robust as Geranium pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ aren’t fussy, and would grow happily in a range of settings.
As my understanding grows, I see that biomimicry in gardens is as much about making the plant look at home as it is keeping it healthy.
Seeing this plant in a setting that (at least to my eye) looked like its “true home” completely changed my appreciation for it.
Abies koreana – Korean fir
Back in 2024, I visited a potential client’s garden and noticed a familiar plant I hadn’t seen in many years. In fact, the last time I saw one was in the garden of the legendary plant hunter, Ron McBeath, when I was an alpine student.
Seeing this Abies koreana told me I was in the garden of people who love plants. And as a gardener, that feels good. So I “took them on” as clients.
I should say… they’re also fantastic and lovely people. The plant alone wouldn’t have cut it.
Unfortunately, less blousy plants like this tend not to receive the appreciation I feel they deserve. The more well-known spring flowering plants usually take centre stage. And actually, it’s only from spending a lot of time in gardens and exploring wildflowers in our countryside that my appreciation for the more subtle colours and forms has grown.
But… I can’t see how anyone could look at Abies koreana and not feel a sense of amazement!
Viburnum carlesii – Koreanspice viburnum
I just realised, this is another Korean plant. It’s completely unintentional on my part.
Viburnum, as a genus, is very kind in its offerings to gardeners (learn what a genus is in this free course on botanical plant names). There is a whole host of striking plants to choose from, and most are quite fragrant.
But none carry such an unforgettable scent as Viburnum carlesii. In fact, of all the spring flowering plants… it might be the best to sniff.
It reminds me of the strawberry Hubba Bubba bubblegum that I was never allowed to have as a kid.
What have I missed?
I hope you enjoyed looking around a few of my clients’ gardens. I think you’ll agree they all have great taste when it comes to choosing plants.
But what have I missed? What lit your garden up this spring?
And with the Geranium pyrenaicum ‘Bill Wallis’ in mind… are you starting to see any plants in a new light?
Please leave a comment below.
Until next time, happy gardening.
Joe
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