Blossom at Holme Gardens

My mid-spring visit to Holme Gardens, Dorset, didn’t disappoint, as you can see. Display after display of tulips and late hyacinths each more eye-boggling than the last – and some wonderful blossom.

It wasn’t a specially bright day – but my goodness, the fiery colours warmed it up.

Stunning pinks in the palm garden.

A background of soft blossom brings out the tulips, hyacinths and colour-coordinated pyramids.

And the blossom in detail: the perfectly-named Prunus ‘Snow Showers’

 

Gorgeous crab-apple  – Malus ‘Louisa’

And one of my favourite plants, the weeping pear (Pyrus salicifolia).

 

 

Gorgeous Camellias

Seen today at Holme Gardens, Dorset (expect much more reporting from here, as I’m now the proud holder of a season ticket) – some beautiful camellias in full flower. They are fairly recently planted and have much growing to do, but they’re already putting on a good show. It was a joy to look at them on a draughty February day.

This supremely elegant variety is Camellia japonica ‘Roger Hall’. What an absolute stunner!

This one reminds me of a peony. The aptly named C. japonica ‘Sundae’ certainly has a different look about it.

And finally, another classically elegant deep pink – Camellia ‘Free Spirit’.

 

The Winter Garden: Holme, Dorset

I am a regular visitor to this delightful garden. In summer its lush herbaceous borders are a wonder – but it’s a stunning winter garden, too.

As the hedges fill in the garden belies its heritage as a very flat fruit-field. Statuary, urns and garden ornaments all add to the effect.

These dead grass-tops add wonderful subtle colour and contrast. And of course, they’re beautiful in summer, too.

Trees add height and beautiful bark, along with stunning-coloured dogwoods and spreading pampas grasses. The planting is just beautiful, as you can see.

Woven in among these winter beauties is an excellent collection of conifer varieties, some still very young, but already creating an impact, like this golden Scots pine. They are all clearly labelled, for conifer connoisseurs.

If you’re anywhere in the area, I urge you to visit Holme Gardens – entry is free through the winter, and there is a very fine garden centre attached.

For full information on Holme Gardens, visit their website http://www.holmeforgardens.co.uk/