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 
A lovely set, Susan
It was amazing to look over and see the deer close enough for an iPhone picture, especially as there are always dogs being walked (on leads) in the park.
Lovely pictures x
Thanks Wendy!
Looks amazing! I love the boots as planters.
You’d have been in your element here!
Beautiful pics. Some camellias do have long seasons. I just spotted a new bloom on Debutante and it started blooming in November!
That’s good to know – I’d always associated them with quite a short season of flowering, but November to March is very respectable!
Lovely photos Susan. The pink boot planters reminded me that I was once given a gift of a maidenhair fern in a gumboot.
I can imagine the smile on your face when you got it. Wellies make great planters – they never look out of place in a garden
It was such a surprise! And I didn’t have a garden at the time, so it lived in the bathroom.
i just love your pictures!!! thank you sooo much for sharing!
Flowers must surely be one of the nicest things to share.
I love daffodils – so uplifting after a long winter! And wow, love that deer photo!
I really should have put the deer picture first, but wanted to keep it as a surprise just as it was for me.
Beautiful photos of the camilla and hellebores; my favorite Lenten plants when blooming in the spring.
I like them too, but my favourite Easter plants are pulsatillas (Pasqueflowers) with all that feathery foliage.
Hmmmm, unknown to me; I’ll have to research that flower
My favorite English artist Angie Lewin creates beautiful design patterns
‘long snouts and go-faster petals’ – I love it! I’m going to remember that one. 🙂
I went with that rather than the comparisons that came to mind – curious ponies for example, or musicians waiting for their cue.
I love your imaginative/creative thinking. 🙂
Such lovely photos. A pleasure to see them. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words – it’s nice to be able to spread a hint of spring.
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.