Back in the Garden State.

Well it is about time, I hear you say; we have returned, none the worse (God, how he lies) for the experience of moving States.

Several months ago, one of our readers posed the somewhat theoretical question of which bulbs one would take to a desert island.

Not that the glorious island of Tasmania, is desert like, but faced with this vexed question, of which bulbs to bring; we took the cowards way out, choosing to take nothing and start again.

With hindsight, this was a mistake.

In the cool temperate climate of here, seeing bulbs growing with gay abundance, instead of struggling under the weight of mainland heat; one wishes many things.........

But we see, I am back to waffling again, and we have yet to communicate the joy of relief about having the garden beds in and the powder coated green fence erected so that the poor plants can grow.

I should be taking pictures, but the slower life here rather precludes this at the moment.

The first flower to bloom here was from a pot of Cyclamen hederifolium bought and planted, nothing special, but it did rather demand we buy it and bring the large corm home to our virgin yard.

Today, we came home with some Spiloxene alba aka. Hypoxis stellata and a small clump of Tulbaghia comminsii; about to grace us with the joy of blooming.

A month on the ground, here in Tasmania, has reminded us of how we missed the sharp seasonal changes; as nature marched through the year. The colours of Fall are simply breath taking, even after a dry summer.

A large drift of galanthus and cypella need planting tomorrow and then there is the problem of planting six hundred, give or take, Cyclamens.

The basics of this back to basics garden will be rooted around Cypella, Galanthus and Cyclamens.

Old friends and acquaintances alike rather expected us to be planting the more rare of the offerings, yet faced with very limited space (this was a lifestyle decision), we find ourselves embracing the blooms which fill our souls with delight at blooming time.

For the first time in a long line of gardens, we have also decided not to collate our plantings; yes that's right, no database!

Bliss, said a tired mind.

As we head into the merry month of May, the camera will be dusted off and the gardens of two friends, Judith and Elaine will be explored on these pages. Both are superb examples of what is on offer in this suburban city of Devonport, graced by the sea and with the haunting backdrop of snow covered mountains framing the picture.

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