It's been a dull weekend but we didn't let that stop us crossing the Pennines on Saturday to visit Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester. A National Trust property, it hosts one of the largest winter gardens in Britain.
We thought it would be a good time to visit with the snowdrops now putting in an appearance and we weren't wrong. The scent as we approached the garden filled the air, it was amazing.
Snowdrops carpet the ground in many areas of the garden.
More than 200,000 bulbs have been planted so there's plenty to see at this time of year.
Winter Aconites.
Lots of different varieties of irises. These are just a couple of them.
There were a few daffodils blooming here and there but many still in bud. They'll put on quite a show in a few weeks, I'm sure.
Camellias are flowering at the moment. This one is St Ewe. All the plants are very well signed in the garden.
There's a whole patch of hydrangea Annabelle where the flower heads have just been left to fade and they look so pretty.
Witch hazels are striking at this time of year with their ribbon-like flowers.
There's some really interesting trees at Dunham Massey too. These Himalayan Birch trees have a bright white bark which really stops you in your tracks, although they haven't come out as well as I'd have liked in my photos and you don't get quite the same effect.
This gnarly old tree is covered in burrs.
We were serenaded by a robin as we wandered round.
Dunham Massey is set on a 300 acre estate and as well as the formal gardens, there's a historic house and deer park.
We don't get to see as much of a place as we'd like these days as we have Archie with us and being an elderly dog, he can't walk as far as he used to. We always have to be mindful of how much exercise he's had, but it does mean that we can return to the places we've already been and see something new.
We were lucky with the weather for although it was very dull, it stayed fine. It had rained during our journey there and it rained again on our journey home.
Dunham Massey is somewhere we'll definitely go again. The garden has got so much interest just now and I think there will be more to see over the coming weeks. It would be good to see what it's like during the summer months when the spring bulbs have died back. We had a very enjoyable day out.
The winter garden is really interesting, I must check my Camelia, it had loads of buds on, it's in a pot and I might move it to a spot we can see from the house.
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely Spring flowers there, I especially like the purple irises. I've only got 2 yellow iris in flower here, the purple and lilac ones I planted are nowhere to be seen!
ReplyDeleteThe snowdrops look beautiful en masse and it's lovely to see spring awakening, even on a dull day. Not much sign of sun here this week.
ReplyDeleteA most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. It's surprising that there's so much colour and interest to be found at this time of year. Glad to see that you were lucky with the weather despite the lack of sunshine and enjoyed yourselves. It certainly looks to be a place to vist at various times of the year. xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. The gardens there are WAY ahead of us. My daffodils haven't popped up at all yet.
ReplyDeleteThe snowdrops look absolutely beautiful beneath the trees. And early daffodils! Although, it definitely feels like February is going by rather quickly. Xx
ReplyDeleteYou managed to find some colour in this drab old weather!
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable day out you had :)
ReplyDeleteLovely to see all of those snowdrops and the other beautiful flowers too.
You captured the Robin so nicely in your photograph too.
A very enjoyable post ... wishing you a good week ahead, although I don't think it will be very warm!
All the best Jan
Wow that's amazing there are so many blooms!
ReplyDeleteGreat day out and thanks for sharing. Funny, but I couldn't comment till after I sent you that email. Take care & hugs.
ReplyDeleteWow how fantastic! So much colour already. I'm glad you enjoyed your day, good old NT. Although I visited Dunham many years ago, I don't remember much about it now.
ReplyDeleteYou had a lovely day out at Dunham Massey and it was good that the weather held out for you while you were walking in the grounds. Masses of snowdrops are a beautiful sight and with the other bulbs in flower, Spring is on the way. Hurray!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lovely place to visit Jo, it's so nice to see so many Spring flowers, I love snowdrops but haven't see a single one yet this year.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely place to visit, the flowers are beautiful 😍 Sweet little Archie... I expect he still enjoys looking at everything on his walk.
ReplyDeleteThe Blue irises are so pretty! I haven't seen that color of them before. Coming across that many flowers would be so nice.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing to see that many flowers and colors during winter. I'm afraid here a winter garden would be snow covered and if not just ugly brown. Nice share.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
We were due to visit a couple of weeks ago but gad to postpone our visit. I hope that the flowers havg around a while.
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