Spring in Bloom at Spark Lane

By Katy O’Regan

May is, without question, my favourite time of year. There’s a quiet shift that happens, the sky softens into clearer blues, the days stretch a little longer, and the warmth feels gentle rather than overwhelming. It’s the kind of warmth that lifts your mood without asking too much in return. After the stillness of winter, everything begins to feel alive again.

For me, it really begins in April, when blossom first appears on the trees. That moment always makes me pause. It’s a small but powerful signal that brighter, more colourful days are on their way. I find myself breathing a little deeper, looking ahead to the layers of colour that will soon fill gardens, hedgerows and open spaces as we move toward summer.

I’m no horticulturist, I wouldn’t pretend to be, but I’ve always appreciated the simple beauty of plants and flowers. For real expertise, I know exactly where to turn: Brian Lowe at Spark Lane Nurseries. When I visited in early April, it was something truly special. The Rhododendrons were just on the cusp of flowering, the vivid pops of Anemones caught the eye, Camassia bulbs were beginning to rise with promise, and the cool, silvery tones of Eucalyptus added depth and contrast throughout.

Step inside the carefully tended polytunnels and it becomes a full sensory experience, the colours, the scents, the feeling of new growth all around you. I tried to capture it in photographs, but they never quite do it justice. Some moments are meant to be experienced. My advice, take yourself to Arclid and visit Spark Lane. I’m sure by the time you read this, Brian’s famous hanging baskets will be well underway, alongside the latest seasonal fruit and vegetables, and all the advice you need to get the very best out of your garden in time for summer.