On 2014-04-06 15:12:50 +0000, Bob Hobden said:

"Sacha" wrote
It's a funny year. Some people are saying theirs are over (of course,
so much depends on variety) others are saying their tulips are out and
ours are still just thinking about it - again, variety but also
location and conditions.

Our Dafs are well and truly over as are the primroses, and our tulips
are in full flower although they haven't opened today. Bluebells are
out around here already.

Wild primroses are still sending out their little bunches of clotted
cream in all our hedgerows and probably will do so until May. But
cultivated primulas are starting to look a bit tired. My favourite
Pulmonaria, Blue Ensign, has been in flower for some time. Bluebells
aren't out. And we're in the soppy south west! I hope all these
examples do show the OP that, while we all understand well the desire
to stamp one's own imprint on a new place, it really is worth waiting.
Precisely because the owners before him appear not to have been too
interested in their garden, the ones before them may have put in some
urecognised and undisturbed treasures. It would be a great shame to
dig up and burn something he then goes to the local garden centre or
nursery to replace! First rule of a new garden - tear out NOTHING in
the first year! In January/February, it may be awash with snowdrops,
for example.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon