This is the time when I open my garden to the public. The first event is Sunday, May 6, then May 20 and May 27, all from 2pm to 6pm. Entry is £3 or free for children.

Various charities will be serving tea and readers are very welcome to come and see what I write about. Of course, you may always come by appointment if you ring me on 01902 372624.

If I am here you may visit, but you may not always get a cup of tea.

This year the garden has come into bloom very early. I still feel there could be a frost, so dare not put out the dahlias or the petunias which are growing away in the pool house.

The davidia – handkerchief tree – came out last week.

I have never known it to be out quite so early before. The last two years there has been a gale blowing as it appeared, which blew all the flowers away immediately, so nobody actually saw them.

The rhododendrons are looking full of blossom, some are already out, but the majority are just about to come, so will make a wonderful show for the whole of May I think.

I have had to cut some back from the lawn edges, and will do so again this year, after they have flowered.

A little cutting back does not hurt them at all. They have a whole year to grow more flower buds and the plants look much better for it.

This year the gales have done damage. I lost the two big trees and there is quite a gap where the gale, which seemed to come from another direction this year, tore some rhododendons down. But already they are growing to fill it in and will eventually look better than before.

I have taken a chance with some new plants this year, a very fine sophora microphylla has been flowering for a while now and I hope will continue to do so once it has established.

The flowers are huge and the evergreen leaves are most attractive. I have put in an embothrium, which somebody grew for me, and it looks good so far. I cannot wait to see the scarlet flowers, if they manage to make it.

Some of the rhododendrons which had been knocked by the weather in the last few years have now recovered and are blossoming well.

The ightham varieties are looking wonderful, after some reasonable winters. This year ightham yellow and ightham sunset are really worth coming to see.

Prunus glandulosum is out now as well, looking lovely, but I know it will get mildew later, every year I think I shall get it out, but I always end up leaving it in.

This year I shall spray it and hope for the best.

Found your dream home? Click here to compare mortgage rates