The New Border
My replanting, due to both builders and winter losses is proceeding with a degree of trepidation as, with a small border like mine, the danger is that it will look “spotty” as planting 3 or 5 of something isn’t always an option. I’m sure, with foresight and a bit of care, I can achieve a degree of ‘succession planting’ (in the way of Christopher Lloyd), so that there is always colour and interest going on, but this will require ‘stuffing’ either with timely pots, or removals and replacements. My main aim is, not so much a splash, more a deluge, right through to September/October – it’s not that I’m greedy – I just like a lot! And now that I can spend a bit more time on the garden, there’s no excuse.Enter the Freebies
Hellebores are obliging souls; they self-seed, but are easy to remove, unlike stubborn violets, which abound in my garden. I planted this pink one, but the green/cream came of it’s own volition, or via a bird. It has a tall habit and flops easily, but give it a stick to lean on and it smiles.And the Survivors
The bulbs are always a surprise because I rarely remember exactly where they are and those in long standing pots are stored without labels and there’s an element of Christmas parcels when they unwrap themselves and reveal the surprise. 
Although subjected to inhumanly low temperatures over winter, the tulips have survived and prospered and this is a true surprise, because it hasn’t happened before. Those in pots have billowed and bloomed wonderfully; unfortunately, as I expected, those few I placed in the ground have not. But hey, you can’t win ‘em all.P.S.
Be aware of butterflies tapping at garage and shed windows. I let a butterfly out of the garage today; around a dozen or so hibernate over the winter in there and as soon as it warms up, they’re anxious to escape and get on with their brief existence so don’t stand in their way. 