The Easter Garden, in the West Porch of St Helen’s Church, first happened during the pandemic. With church services suspended and indoor gatherings restricted, the garden provided a symbol of hope for passers-by.

Now an annual tradition, it will be on display throughout this Holy Week, from 11am to 3pm. With Easter falling late in 2025, finding spring flowers was a challenge.

The garden features three simple wooden crosses representing the scene of Calvary, with a stone symbolising the tomb. On Easter Sunday, the stone will be removed, and a small tealight will be placed inside the tomb to signify the resurrection.

The display is filled with moss, greenery, and a variety of flowers. Pansies in shades of purple and yellow, pale blue forget-me-nots, along with small white blossoms, came from the garden of Sue, the creator. Despite the Monday Market shifting to summer bedding plants, Sue found pots of Calibrachoa; their tiny purple and white flowers trail at the front. She also found pots of late daffodils, and hopes they’ll last until Easter Sunday.

The town’s floral displays are a testament to the work of the town council. They maintain the colourful arrangements in the town centre and at town entry points, all of which require regular replanting and watering. (The district council cares for the blooms in Abbey Gardens.)

Roysse Court is overflowing with floral munificence.

A long line of planters with trailing plants decorate St Helen’s Wharf.

The stand out floral displays in Broad are up again this year

as are all the flowing baskets of leaves and blooms around Abingdon Market Place.

Along Stratton Way, one flower bed was the subject of a planning a application. The town council objected ‘this application concerns a public open space which the town council has maintained for the benefit of residents for 47 years.’

I cannot see any decision on this plan and it is 48 years now.

P.S. After taking a break last year, the garden of 53 Springfield Drive is once again open on 17th August 2014.

Walking into the Abbey Gardens, first you see Magnolia

and then a line of trees in blossom.

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough
(from Shropshire Lad by A E Houseman)

The Abbey Grounds are transformed into a wonderland of white.

Trees, both near the Cattle Market Carpark and around Abbey House, are hung with blooms. The small leaves are just appearing.

Even yesterday’s strong winds haven’t marred this yet. The trees are at the height of a Spring celebration.

The doorway arch at Fabulous Flowers is often a sight to behold, but it is even more spectacular this week. The current display results from flowers left after a wedding and spreads sunshine to passers-by in Bridge Street, Abingdon.

The arch overflows with flowers that continue along the front of the shop on both sides and is a testament to the skill and artistry of the florists at Fabulous Flowers.