Blog
13 April 2026
April & May
Spring has a way of transforming the gardens almost overnight. After months of quiet preparation, April and May bring a rush of colour, movement, and growth that seems to gather pace by the day. These are the months when the College grounds feel most alive — and when the gardening team is at its busiest.
April: The Unfurling Month
April is always a month of promise. The borders wake up, the lawns green over, and the first blossoms appear as if on cue.
Borders waking up
Fresh shoots of hostas, phlox, asters, and astilbes have been pushing through the soil, and we’ve been mulching steadily to conserve moisture and suppress early weeds. The peonies are showing strong, healthy stems — a good sign for the display to come.
Blossom season
The College’s magnolias have been particularly elegant this year, especially the Magnolia soulangeana near the Jester sculpture. The cherries in the paddock and Chapman’s Garden followed with their usual exuberance, scattering petals across the lawns like a late spring snowfall.
Wildlife returning
The moorhens have resumed their patrols of the pond edges, and the first newts have been spotted in the water. Bumblebees are making excellent use of the pulmonaria, hellebores, and other early nectar sources.
Behind-the-scenes work
Much of April’s work happens quietly, but it’s essential to the health of the gardens:
· Dividing and replanting overgrown perennials
· Repairing edging and gravel paths
· Potting on summer bedding in the glasshouse
· Checking irrigation systems before the dry spells arrive
And this year, a particularly important task:
Dredging the conduit streams
To improve water flow and maintain the health of the College’s waterways, the team has been dredging the conduit streams. This is delicate work, and we take great care with the material we remove. The debris and silt are left to drain beside the water, giving the insects and aquatic invertebrates time to crawl back into the stream. Once the living passengers have safely returned, the remaining spoil becomes a valuable ingredient in our composting systems, adding structure and microbial richness. It’s a satisfying example of how small ecological decisions can support the wider garden environment.
May: Full Spring, Full Speed
May is when the gardens truly hit their stride — and when the pace of work becomes almost continuous.
Rhododendrons and azaleas
The Bluebells in the Fellows’ Garden have been spectacular, with deep purples, before the leaf emerging and shadowing the bulbs. The azaleas along the water’s edge by Emmanuel House are now in full colour, their scent drifting across the lawns on warm afternoons.
Lawns and lushness
With longer days and warmer temperatures, the lawns have entered their rapid-growth phase. Mowing becomes a near-daily rhythm, and we’ve begun selective feeding to keep the turf healthy without encouraging excessive growth.
Iris season
The bearded irises are beginning to open, their architectural foliage giving way to rich purples, blues, and yellows. They catch the light beautifully at this time of year.
.jpg)
Planting out
May is also the month when we begin planting out the summer displays:
· Tender salvias
· Dahlias (once frost risk has passed)
· Cosmos and tithonia for height and movement
· Pelargoniums for the more formal containers
The glasshouse empties quickly, and the borders fill just as fast.
Wild corners thriving
Our meadow areas are full of early growth — oxeye daisies, camassia bulbs, red campion, and a variety of grasses that bring softness and movement. These spaces are increasingly important for pollinators, and we’re seeing more species each year.
Looking Ahead
June will bring the next wave of colour: roses forming buds, wisteria preparing its second flush, and the herbaceous borders gathering momentum. For now, April and May have given us a beautiful start to the season.
If you’re passing through the College, take a moment to pause in one of the quieter corners. There’s always something new to notice — and often something quietly at work beneath the surface.
Best wishes
Brendon Sims (Head Gardener)