Patio area The architectural plants in pots have survived the winter with the fig looking resplendant with new leaves and tiny fruits. On the rockery purple Erica carnea, pink Saxifrage and mauve Aubretia have been in bloom. A clump of Alchemilla alpina with its silver edged leaves have been split and moved to the top of the bed to replace Geranium asphodeloides 'Prince Regeant'. A trailing pink Saponaria has been planted on the top shelf. Many self seeded ferns and a rampant oxalis type plant have been removed. The gravel bed backing the pond has been a haze of blue with Forget-me-nots following very quickly on the heels of grape hyacynths. The patio tub of pink Rhododendron 'Yak Shrimp girl' has once again performed well.

The left hand Bed 1 has had a 'make over' due to the small weeping willow dying - too near the privet hedge for comfort I suspect. This gave me the excuse to visit Barncroft nursery near Leek to look for another standard. I fell in love with a Euonyous 'Emerald Gaiety' standard and an unusual purple Lesser Periwinkle 'Vincal minor atropurpurea' to plant nearby. Together with a clump of white Thallia daffs, forget-me-nots and pinky bronze -green flowers of Euphorbia 'Chameleon'; this should look good next year.Further down the bed 'Old Pheasants Eye' daffs and Spring green tulips seem to have had a resurrection this year after replanting and feeding last autumn. Under the new bronze leaves of Prunus pisarda and surrounded by emerging 'Gardeners garters' stripy grass and clumps of white edged Hostas they are looking good.

The Bottom bed 4 is filling out with vegetation at this time of year - the blue green foliage of Dicentra formosa needs reducing to highlight the white Pulmonaria and allow it to self seed. Fresh bronze foliage of Heuchera 'Purple Palace'contrasting nicely with pink Angelique tulips, underplanted with pink Saxifrage. A few black parrot tulips have emerged from under the spreading architechtural leaves Fatsia Japonica and will have to be transplanted. They have all looked good against the yellow-green flower heads of Euphorbia robbiae and a self seeded yellow foliage feverfew. It is a pity that most tulips are never so vigorous after their first year flourish. I always have high hopes and then am disappointed. Not so with a clump of pink ones of unknown origin, which always perform well year after year. This year the new varieties in this bed are big purple 'Negrita'and pink 'Menton'. 'Blushing Bride' came out lemon with a pink tinged edge and has been banished to a pot in the front garden!

Right Hand Bed 2 New tulips have included purple and white striped 'Atlantis' - disappointing, and Blue Aimiable - started off well and then turned a dirty mauve colour. The pink wallflowers 'Eastern Promise' lived up to their name and I shall keep them going for next year.

Woodland Anemones were still in flower as the ferns started unfurling amongst the bluebells. The pink fading to white Rhodie didn't have as many blooms as last year - it isn't near the water tap! Snakes head fritillaries in the long grassy area performed well in their second year.

A new member Julie is like a breath of fresh air with her enthusiasm to learn more. She worked very hard on her garden for our visit - it was a shame the weather was wet but we all admired her newly emerging garden design. She has had her clump of Birch trees lopped to retain their graceful lines.

The weather was kinder to us for Alice's Garden visit at Smallwood, but the wind was keen whipping over the fields. The garden was set in the countryside and her shrubs and borders set off the attractive farmhouse.The creamy white magnolia was magnificently in bloom. A bonus was being shown the ancient tithe barn. It is a listed building and used for village celebrations.

Nora's Cottagey garden is always a joy to visit. She and her husband had worked hard cutting back overgrown shrubs and creating a new rose garden. Her yellow climbing miniature rose was in flower in the conservatory, covering a wall. An attractive tub of purple tulips underplanted with pink 'Sensation' pansies caught my eye. A delicate white butterfly with green leaf-like marking hung on a flower - an Orange-tip butterfly.