Well it said light showers and it was wrong, it fair tipped it down over Great Dixter from noon to 2pm today. A short spell of sunshine between two large rain clouds allowed for some hurried shooting and ooohing and ahhing at the glorious Tulips displays and burgeoning herbaceous display but in truth being hampered by a brolly and dampish squib waterproof and hoodie didn’t help.

TULIP AND GRAPE HYACINTH

Everyone seemed a bit mis too, not many smiles from the few who did venture out not even the ‘wet weather geared up’ staff, though the lady in the tea shop/shop was a complete gem and lent us two bin liners so we could perch on a soggy bench in the little garden when the sun burst through.

BRICK PERGOLA

I have been to Dixter once before in high summer and it was breathtaking then, this time it was the Springy ‘bedding’ and pots that blew me away. It is an excellent reminder, if one needs it, that Tulips can in fact make a spring border just as vibrant and full of colour explosions as the big blousey summer borders.

TULIPS IN THE LONG HERBACEOUS BORDER

The combinations of bulbs and spring flowering shrubs and perennials leads the eye and links seemingly effortlessly, though I suspect a great deal of effort goes in in reality,  through the spaces.

Big blocks of bold colours blend, in a shouty kind of way, with the beautifully with the super-verdant rain drenched greens of the up-coming herbaceous plantings. Sumptuous.

DAMP TULIPS IN RAINBOW COLOURS

MORE PICS HERE

BENCH UNDER FATSIA JAPONICA

If you haven’t been to Dixter in Spring, GO, GO, GO!! Put it on your list of things to do, places to go, this year in the next week or so before the tulips go over or for next year.

TULIPS IN THE LONG HERBACEOUS BORDER