My last visit to Dunham Massey was in winter, when the snowdrops were at their height. This time I didn’t take a single picture of snowdrops: they had either gone to seed or were looking bedraggled. A few early camellias were in bloom, but there are far more still at the tight bud stage.
Hellebores look to be mid way through their long flowering season. This was one of several labelled Helleborus x hybridus ‘Queen of the Night’. It was not as dark as I might have expected from the name but each plant had formed an attractive, floriferous clump.
Daffodils massed along paths by the entrance to the garden – a neat, short growing variety. If I was an expert on narcissus, I’d be able to name them, but sadly I’m not.
A couple of other varieties caught my eye: an elegant yellow with bold orange cups and one of the types with long snouts and go-faster petals (I did say I wasn’t an expert).
It was good to see children in the garden, enjoying the chance for a spring walk without the risk of anything more than a shower. Dunham Massey were running a Welly Challenge to help give them an extra interest and had hidden pairs of wellington boots in trees, on tree stumps and in shady corners.
Bare branches with emerging buds and blooms have the essence of spring bursting through them. This year I was too late for the witch hazel, so I was happy to spot this flowering shrub with its pink buds and pale yellow-green flowers. My iPhone captured it in a rather impressionistic way, but you’ll get the gist.
I’m sure this fallow deer would have loved the chance to nibble on some of these plants: instead it had to be content with grass in the park grounds outside the garden gates. It was a joy to see deer grazing so calmly, keeping an eye on the visitors but not unduly concerned.
For those who’d like to see more pictures of this garden, I’m linking to last year’s post on Dunham Massey. You might notice that the same camellia was in bloom. I’m not sure what to make of that as I don’t associate camellias with having a particularly long flowering season.
Susan Rushton 
Not an expert? Who but an expert would come up with “go-faster petals”? That’s my idea of nomenclature. The white-edged camellia is wonderful, but that expanse of daffodil clumps is even better than wonderful. Thanks for the springtime walk!
My pleasure!
Is this Dunham Massey Farm in Gloucester, VA?? It sure looks like it as I have been there several times…the owner is a friend!! And, it is truly beautiful at all times of the year.
This Dunham Massey is in Greater Manchester in North West England. I was once lucky enough to visit some friends in Gloucester, VA, in the springtime. Though we did not see the farm you mention I can understand you thinking it might be there – many of the plantings I saw in the area looked very English in character.
A welly search – what a great idea! And wonderful pictures too.
Gardens have to be creative if they want to engage with youngsters. It was lovely to see lots of children in the garden and grounds during my visit.
So lovely to see spring flowers emerging again. Makes one feel much more cheerful (even though we are now into our third day of dense fog!)
We’ve had a little mist but nothing like that. I did have to wait for a fine, fairly calm day.
How wonderful to see the blooms! My bulbs started blooming- very early- here in the States and then we got a lot of snow. I’ll be lucky if I see a few stragglers.
It must be tempting to go round and pick them if you know a major snowstorm is on its way. That’s not much good if they are things like crocuses, though I have seen some lovely posies of snowdrops. But if a storm is coming, you might have more to think about than picking flowers!
Fantastic. We’re ready for what we hope will be a banner season for wildflowers in southern California, following our wettest winter in history. Thanks for visiting Under Western Skies.
Hellebores is a new one to me. Love the colors. Green and lavender or purple are my two favorite colors together.
Gorgeous!
Beautiful. And a welcome glimpse of spring.