Central Park now

I was on a Japanese knotweed mission. That's another story (knotweed risotto for supper last night).

On my way to The Ramble, I found spring. The fence pictured here is below The Shakespeare Garden. Early, species tulips are opening. The big ones are still a long way behind - which feels like a relief: Big surprise for us - my mother is visiting from Cape Town in April, just in time for Easter. And I am worried that there will be no spring left. She might miss cherries entirely, but there should be crabapples and dogwoods.

We booked her into a hotel opposite the Battery Park Bosque and Conservancy gardens, which I hope will be a green and flower-filled treat. The Frenchman works a few minutes away and we plan to have many picnics under the old plane trees in the Piet Oudolf-designed garden, with a view of the vast and busy harbour.

The weeping loveliness of this cherry...This is beside the Great Lawn. Picnics planned here, too. We must get some folding chairs. Vince and I need them for our silvertop roof suppers, anyway.

These magnolias are near East 86th Street.

Luscious, lickable Magnolia soulangeana. And perfumed. Highly.

Wish I could roll in them.