Every morning brings new surprises: tulips, the Persian imperial crown, keys to heaven, mahonia, night violets, the triple spring knot flower, the first clematis buds and… and… and… we discover. Some roses are already full of leaves.

Carpets of violets smell fragrant in the warm sun, giant leaf inflorescences appear on the pond, and wild bees have awakened from hibernation and are buzzing around the insect hotel.