As late spring merges into early summer it seems like a good point to take stock of the year so far. Snowdrops bloom at the end of the garden during February, hard to say how many- a thousand, probably more? A colony this large must have taken at least decades to grow to this size. I've extended it by digging up clumps after flowering and re-planting them but I wonder just how long the Snowdrops have been here?

 I've naturalised several varieties of daffs in the lawn (well, grassy area) to give a splash of cheery colour early in the season. Narcissus February Gold flowered very early in the month. London winters are mild anyway and this one particularly so.

 "Tommies" (Crocus tommasinianus) are a simple joy. They multiply freely and each year I add more. Hundreds flowered simultaneously in February undeterred by a brief cold snap. Glorious and manna for early bees that took to the wing when the weather warmed up again.

 Speaking of bees the White Comfrey flowered early and flowered long. Bees love all Comfreys and by growing several kinds it's possible to have one or more in flower from early spring to high summer.

 Self-seeders pop up where they like which I'm very happy to encourage. I seeded Honesty in the back garden some years ago and this year the biggest, pinkest most flowery one I have ever seen took up residence in the front garden.

 I'm fond of rampant invasive plants. I want to see plants not bare earth. Case in point two patches of Greater Stichwort have gone mad this year. A plant of hedgerows in the countryside it took readily to the garden when I planted a few sprigs of it.

 Apple blossom time is a sure sign that spring is in the air.

 So too the blossoms of Hawthorne tell us that the Maytide is here.

 The garden is looking very lush and green. The flowers of spring are starting to fade and the blooms of summer starting to appear. Who knows what the weather has in store but these are tough, hardy plants (mainly wild species) which take most things in their stride be it drought or downpour.