What a spring we have had so far! The oaks here in Suffolk are well ahead of the ash, so as the old saying goes Oak before Ash, in for a splash, Ash before Oak, in for a soak, we shall see. I can tell with it being my second spring in suffolk that everything is further ahead this year, but then last year took a while to warm up, and if old sayings are anything to go by, Ne’er cast a clout (coat), till May be out.

Never mind all that, right now I am appreciating the astounding beauty of theWisteria sinensis Prolific, that elegantly climbs across a cream wall here on the nursery. Its pendulous racemes and perfect pruning transform the wall and transport the viewer to somewhere grand and romantic like renaissance Italy. Underneath Iris germanica Rosalie Figge perfectly compliments, enhancing the dream.

Wisteria is a vigorous woody vine, growing up to 20m high by 10m across and as such requires a strong substantial support frame. The largest recorded Wisteria apparently measures in at an acre, but with regular pruning its size and shape can be well maintained (as is the case here on the nursery). In its native environment Wisteria sinensis grows up other trees, preferring a rich well drained, slightly acid soil. I know of one that grows all the way from a neighbouring house up, up, up, over a high fence into a crab apple tree which blossoms around the same time, creating a soft natural effect that stills the mind.