Celebrating gardens, photography and a creative life
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. Continue reading “Dunham Massey in March”
There are so many excellent reasons to visit the English Lake District, but if you love plants, make Holehird Gardens part of the road taken – you won’t regret it. Holehird is home to The Lakeland Horticultural Society, and has an unusual commercial model. The members tend the gardens themselves, which means that visitors who don’t feel able to pay can be offered free parking and entry, though a donation to help with upkeep is much appreciated.
While there’s much more to Holehird than ‘just’ a walled garden, it’s this that draws me back. I can rarely resist the chance to see flowers tumbling together in a beautiful setting. Weathered brick walls provide shelter, make a backdrop for the plants and support several climbers, including roses and clematis. Continue reading “Holehird Gardens: A Peek Inside A Walled Garden”
If I was asked for one word to describe the character of hellebores, it would be demure. That shows the dangers of generalising. These beautifully spotted, double blooms look like something out of musical theatre.
I can’t help wondering what they are whispering about. Fear of slugs? The shipping forecast? The best hairdresser in the county – should that be petaldresser?
For those hoping for something a bit more botanical, these are Helleborus x hybridus (Ashwood Garden Hybrids).
At this time of the year, if you spot a glorious rose bush in full flower, the chances are you’re looking at a Camellia japonica. I have a particular weakness for variegated camellias, so it’s not surprising that this one caught my eye. Continue reading “Camellia japonica ‘Marchioness of Salisbury’”
I rarely resist bending down to look inside a double snowdrop. Like most aspects of gardening, it’s hard on the knees, but uplifting to the soul.
The hurried passerby thinks all snowdrops are the same. It’s only by sparing those few extra moments to look closer that we start to appreciate nature’s subtleties.
Susan Rushton 