Dear Readers, I couldn’t help but notice that spring in Toronto is just about starting, whereas here in East Finchley some plants have already gone over. It looks as if I’ve missed the best of the cherry blossom, at least if the pink confetti in the gutters is anything to go by…

But there’s still lots in flower, and  coming into leaf. Barnet Council have planted a hibiscus on one of the County Roads, and it looked very sad earlier this year, but look! It looks very healthy now, so fingers crossed for the next few years, as it grows and matures. There are some very healthy specimens in Golders Green and Temple Fortune, so I’m looking forward to seeing this one in flower in due course.

According to the Tree Map of London, the tree below is an apple. I’m so confused with Prunus species that I couldn’t say, but I will note that I’ve never seen any apples on it. Very pretty, whatever it is.

And these might not be English bluebells, but they’re very also very attractive. I love what people manage to grow in the tiniest and most unpromising of spaces, such as on the top of a wall or gatepost.

Along the side of All Saints’ Church there are thickets of garlic mustard (great for the orange tip and brimstone butterflies).

And along the fence, there is an abundance of three-cornered garlic. I sense a general garlic theme going on – I could see either of these plants being used for a garlic-bread equivalent, or as a stuffing for a nice big portobello mushroom, though I’d want to be fairly sure that the local dogs hadn’t peed all over the plants first.

On we go along Twyford Avenue. Last year I spotted these interesting wisteria, which were growing more as shrubs than climbers – they’ll be in full flower soon, I must go back and take a photo to see how they look this year.

One of the gardens has been re-landscaped, and I rather like it – it’s a bit tidier than mine, but there are still some pollinator-friendly plants on this open, sunny site.

And the lilac is in bloom everywhere.

Now, what is it with this brutal tree-chopping that I’m seeing at the moment? Look at this poor tree, or what’s left of it. I’m guessing there’s a reason for just decapitating the tree, rather than taking it out completely (cost?) but it looks awful. And it’s not the only one either.

The plane trees are gently leafing up on Grand Avenue in Muswell Hill…

And this Cotinus (smoke bush) was positively glowing in the sunshine.

But my heart is always with the weeds, and how I love this yellow corydalis sitting on top of a wall and soaking up the sun. It doesn’t matter how much weed killer is sprayed about, this little plant always seems to come back.

After a coffee at Sable D’Or (highly recommended if you’re in the vicinity of Muswell Hill) we walk back down Queen’s Avenue, and I am much taken by this tree peony. I think it might be a Ludlow’s tree peony, and it’s the first one I’ve seen around here. The species comes originally from Tibet, where the plant is known as ‘God’s flower’. What a splendid plant to stumble across in North London.

And here is a very dark blue California lilac (Ceanothus), much loved by bees, and yet another plant on my front garden list (if only I can find some room).

As we head back onto Fortis Green Road, there’s a lovely Clematis (Montana I think) – I’d never noticed how sweet this plant smells. This one was absolutely smothered in flowers.

But finally, here is a relatively rare species – a Trojan Electric Vehicle charger! The council has been cheerfully putting these in all around East Finchley, but this is the first one I’ve seen actually plugged in. Let’s hope they soon become as common as three-cornered garlic or garlic mustard.