Kelmscott Manor was the country home of William Morris, a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement. Read more here. These photos (taken with permission and copyright © Stephen Bigger 2015) were taken on 24th April, as part of a project photographing the garden around the year.
Exochorda suddenly in flower, commonly named 'The Bride'. This can be viewed near the picnic tables.
I have photographed this delightful rosemary, near the exterior 'privy'. The privy is a must visit, but not for its original function.
The mulberry tree ('here we go round, and all that) is not leafing up yet, but this view shows it from the herbaceous beds with house behind.
Kelmscott Garden is ahead of my own garden, as it is walled and protected. So the camassias are in flower (the next two pictures). Camassias are a late spring bulb that deserve to be more popular.
This is blossom time. Plum blossom is are finished, pears are at their best, and apples not quite here. Here is some pear blossom.
Almost in flower are these wisterias - when I visit on Wednesday I expect there to be some purple/lilac flowers.
Bay trees
Look hard at this one, these are parrot tulips - ungainly for some, but my first choice when planting.
Bergenias, commonly nicknamed 'elephant ears' because of the leaves.
I took this view of the white spiraea last time, but look closer in the foreground. The following photo gives the clue
This ceanothus ('so-called Californian lilac) is bursting. Next week the whole bush will be dazzling!
Still some tulips...
Real bluebells...
And don't forget green is a colour too
Finally, through the pear blossom to the back of the house.
Added Wednesday 28th April:
Mexican Orange Blossom comes out (Choisya ternata)
The ceanothus turns bluer ...
and apple blossom transforms the eating area
