National Public Gardens Week

 National Public Gardens Week

So here we are deep into the springtime elixir of our lives when everybody feels as though everything is good, invigorating, refreshing, uplifting, satisfying and life is at its sweetest. We, of course, know life is indeed precious and something to enjoy whole heartedly. In fact for most of Britain it's warm, sunny, the sky is cerulean blue and the world is full of the joys of spring. Nature is flourishing and blooming, trees dancing and swaying in gentle breezes and humanity has to embrace the weather to its bosom because if it does rain later on in the day, we may feel disappointed and let down. But it's almost summer folks. Glorious! 

Now here is where we are in the world. The kitchen doors are open, the industrial fans are on at full blast and your garden is just stunningly pretty. You've left it during the winter in solitary hibernation, fast asleep, dormant, neglected, sad, forlorn and probably feeling sorry for itself. The garden shed has just stood there at the bottom of the garden rather like some very lonely, shy child who all the kids simply ignored on his first day at school. 

But now spring has sprung and everything looks so much more pleasing to the eye. The trees have re-discovered their summer clothes and the green leaves are in joyously hospitable mood. They wave at you cordially, acknowledging every single person with a warm amiability. It is so easy to be lyrical about May because not only is it merry, it's positively thrilled and delighted to be among us. Besides, May is invariably promising, auspicious, a dress rehearsal for the rest of summer. 

Today, the weather forecast has once again informed us that although most of the day will turn into a temporary heatwave, tea time might be the moment when the dark clouds will gather and suddenly, thunder and lightning will cut through the sweltering heat. And yet once more we will remain undaunted, fearless, completely free from any anxiety. Our garden will welcome a downpour of rain anyway because we haven't had any rain for well over a month and, although not in drought territory, this may be disconcerting to some. But who cares?

And our thoughts turn to the recent abomination and tragedy of the Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian's Wall in England. Earlier on this year, a group of violent criminals demolished this most gorgeous of natural sights. They thought it would be a jolly good idea and a hilarious laugh. Besides, it was a very old tree, almost ancient history and why would there be any vehement objections to cutting down a tree whose branches and foliage were decaying and, quite, possibly dead? 

However, little did these cruel reprobates know what they were doing. This was an act of vandalism, callous aggression and showed up all the worst in human behaviour. Our tree hating thugs have now apparently been sentenced to ten years in jail which seems a more than fitting punishment for this disgraceful assault on our wonderful trees. We have nothing but unwavering admiration for the courtroom judge who meted out the suitable punishment for this heartbreaking murder.

Meanwhile, back in the garden the likes of legendary TV presenters Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Donn, will be pulling on their gloves, digging out the pruning secateurs, wheeling out the lawnmower and gaining enormous pleasure from the flora and fauna in front of their eyes. They will be surveying their beds of yellow and red roses with an almost paternal tenderness and their eyes will light up at the jovial japonica, the lovely laburnum, the breathtaking begonias, the prim primroses, delectable daisies, the spellbinding tulips and all manner of flowers and plants.

This week is National Public Gardens week folks. It's time to venture out into our gardens and encounter something of a horticultural revival. We crouch down with our spades, forks, innumerable seeds and some will renew acquaintance with our allotment sites. Now allotment site lovers are the salt of the earth types, devoted gardeners who adore the earth, growing acres of strawberries, tomatoes, apples, celery, rhubarb and a wide variety of things to eat at breakfast, tea, lunch and supper. They work their allotment sites unquestioningly in all weathers and never forget about the new life in the ground. 

But the gardens of course in the capital city of London are somehow synonymous with everything that is colourful and astonishing to behold by millions of tourists. Hyde and Regents Park are some of our biggest, brightest, most aesthetically mesmerising parks, combining as they do the whole rainbow spectrum of plants, flowers, shrubberies and commanding trees who protect us with endless love.

Still, whether you're green fingered not, this is one time of the year to lavish as much care, compassion and solicitude as you can muster on your garden, your oasis of calm, the place you visit because it helps you to unwind and de-stress, a therapeutic sanctuary where you can relax in the open air or just potter around in.

Public gardens are both attractive and delightfully natural havens where peace can reign for as long as you want them to be. Mentally, our senses burst into life, stimulated and exhilarated because of their capacity to change our mood and boost our spirits. They reveal a peacock plumage of colours that maintain our happy hormones and just make us smile. Who can fail to be uplifted by the first daffodil of the year, the hydrangea that nestles comfortably in either your front or back garden? It is like a guard of honour, decorative and almost ceremonial, a rich feast for the eyes, a balm to your soul.

The forthcoming Chelsea Flower Show will be a typical example of how gardens can soothe a savage breast. Every year, this outstanding social and cultural event attracts thousands of tourists to London. From Japanese rock gardens with trickling streams to the usual assortment of nasturtiums, verbenas, chrysanthemums, patios, pergolas and even the most ornate decking, gardens are almost part of our extended family, never judgmental nor critical.

So to all seasoned gardeners enjoy National Public Gardens Week because you deserve this recognition and the chance to shine. You'll come home from work tonight, slump into your favourite chair in your garden or just wander around the pansies and the petunias for the umpteenth time because you're so immensely proud of them. You'll grab a can of lager or pour yourself yet another glass of Pimms or even a vintage glug of red wine. Look at nature, it's such a beautiful world out there. Let's cherish life. It's sweet as sugar.