April 2014 in the Northern Hemisphere

[David Nicholson]

I prune my Camellias back hard every year after flowering.

I told her it should be pruned just after flowering NOT IN SEPTEMBER

[Siri K]

I told her it should be pruned just after flowering NOT IN SEPTEMBER

They never listen.

Generally it's in the the direction female -> male, though.

[Jane]

It has been the perfect spring for Magnolias this year.  Here are two of ours looking fantastic at the moment both with sci-fi connected names 'Vulcan' and Star Wars' 

[Philip Walker]

Arisaema amurense x 2
Ranunculus amplexicaulis-AGS seed sown Jan '11,1st flower
Dicentra cucullaria(or canadensis)

[David Nicholson]

It has been the perfect spring for Magnolias this year.  Here are two of ours looking fantastic at the moment both with sci-fi connected names 'Vulcan' and Star Wars' 

It has hasn't it, and you have two lovely ones there Jane. Is there a miniature Magnolia, one that might be happy in a pot but not a Stellata?

[David Nicholson]

They never listen.

Generally it's in the the direction female -> male, though.

You may think that but I couldn't possibly comment!

[Anne Repnow]

Re. Magnolia in a pot - you might try Magnolia x loebneri 'Mag's Pirouette', David. The flowers are white and have a captivating form. (The leading magnolia specialist in Germany claims it is a plant for lady gardeners - but I'm sure this little beauty appeals to gentlemen as well.)

I cherish it because it doesn't only have lovely flowers but also quite small, glossy, very pretty leaves. Mine grows very slowly (2 - 5 cm per year) and I'm sure it would be quite happy in a pot. Ah yes - and it got an AGM in 2012.

[Anne Repnow]

Tulipa clusiana - doing its elegant thing.

And the quince tree is in full bloom - lovely large flowers.

[Mike Ireland]

Romulea requienii from a few bulbs grown from seed many years ago,
now happily seeding around the garden, when it manages to get through the crocus foliage.

[Philip Walker]

Daphne x susannae 'Cheriton'

[meanie]

Best thing to start blooming in a while is one of my Iris japonica (variegated form) which started today......................

[astragalus]

Spring is finally arriving.
The hellebore is as early here as H. niger, which is also coming into bloom.  I've never seen this name elsewhere.  Can anyone verify it?
You'll notice that Eranthis hyemalis has seeded itself here somehow.  Where it was original planted is quite far, not even visible from this spot.  The daffodil was planted years ago, label lost to Bambi, and ignored ever since. It has repaid me by seeding itself.
 
1.  Helleborus 'pink tea cup'  (valid name?).
2.  Unknown daffodil that has seeded itself down a slope

[johnralphcarpenter]

Spring is finally arriving.
The hellebore is as early here as H. niger, which is also coming into bloom.  I've never seen this name elsewhere.  Can anyone verify it?
You'll notice that Eranthis hyemalis has seeded itself here somehow.  Where it was original planted is quite far, not even visible from this spot.  The daffodil was planted years ago, label lost to Bambi, and ignored ever since. It has repaid me by seeding itself.
 
1.  Helleborus 'pink tea cup'  (valid name?).
2.  Unknown daffodil that has seeded itself down a slope

I've not heard that name but a very nice hellebore!

Here's Asphodelus ramosus.

[fixpix]

5 of what I like in my garden right now 

Saxifraga stolonifera
Primula... ?
Tulips
Cercis
Tree peony

[Mike Ireland]

Three androsace flowering on my tufa wall.
Androsace muscoidea breviscapa
Androsace muscoidea Schacht Form x 2
Androsace vandellii