Enjoy the late spring days as we look forward to summer

It’s been a great spring so far – sunshine, a bit of rain (OK, and snow!) – and the gardening team has been working flat out to prepare the Gardens for the renowned summer displays.

Although they’ve not been open to the public, we’ve been working in our four, historic glasshouses, making sure the specimens in the tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean and arid environments are ready for when we can finally welcome visitors back in. We’re hoping we’ll be able to do this on May 17, if government guidelines do not change.

May is certainly one of the busiest months for us here at the Gardens. As well as weeding (lots of weeding), we’ll also be making sure our plants in the nursery, glasshouses and in the borders get plenty to drink. We didn’t see as many April showers as normal, so watering the plants that are already outside has been an important task to make sure they thrive.

Summer is just around the corner, so the team will be planting seasonal bedding schemes in the car park, on the Terrace and in front of the newly refurbished Bandstand. And for the 50th consecutive year, the gardeners will also be planting cacti and other succulents on the Terrace, ready for a stunning summer display.

Replanting will also be taking place in the Totally Tropical Beds. These are the two beds on either side of the cacti bed on the Terrace. This should finish off the display nicely, so look out for this when you visit us this month.

May is the month when the rhododendrons and azaleas look particularly fantastic in the Rhododendron Garden and if you happen to wander down the Wilson Walk, near the Lawn Aviary, your eyes will be treated to the sight of the gorgeous Handkerchief tree in flower. Head over to the Fern Garden and you’ll see freshly unfurled fronds.

The last task for the team is the restocking of the Butterfly House – the only butterfly house in Birmingham. If government plans don’t change, this will reopen on June 21.

We love seeing your photos of the Gardens on social media, so please keep posting them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and let us know what you have enjoyed in particular on your visit here. We look forward to seeing you all this month.