with you Sue. I had go take a cat nap after I read that one.That's a mess of holes to dig.

The eventual aim is to underplant the cherry trees with 1 million tulips, the plan is to plant another 500,000 this autumn!

There are colour themes in the ornamental garden, two small hidden yew bordered 'secret' gardens each have a red and a yellow theme. There is some clever planting with wonderful combinations. The gardens are less than 10 years old and still very much works in progress with new features and gardens being added all the time.

Here's another shot from the cherry orchard.

And a shot of the central pool in the Ornamental garden. The delphinium tripods are in place and the clematis and roses are putting on lots of growth.

Dear Sue, the pictures are quite wonderful! I must say a big thank you on behalf of everyone both on this cubit and on Cottage Gardens, everyone appreciates your efforts.
We are very lucky to have your talents and kindness. I do put it on when you send pictures on, but not everyone posts, I think they are too enthralled with the beauty!
Also there is Richard who asked for his own thread to do Kew Through The Seasons, he puts his on most weekends. He actually works at Kew which shows with pictures form places their the public don't normally venture into.
Thank you again.
Regards.
Neil.
p.s. A Cercis siliquastrum I took yesterday.
Are you going to Chelsea this year?

500,000 MORE! I'm tired again now, another cat nap....

These are all beautiful

Sue the tripods for the delphiniums? Do they keep the delps from falling over I put stakes behind mine and loosely tie them to the stakes. Are the tripods visible once the plant grows through? I may just have to try that.

Thanks Neil. I will make this thread a kind of record of my visits to Alnwick. I have a season ticket so can go as many times as I like for free and usually go at least once a month. I must go more often at peak rose time, I can't tell you how absolutely stunning the rose garden is in June!

Cherie the tripods certainly do a great job supporting the delphiniums. They are a little obtrusive but I think that's outweighed by the value they have in making the delphinums look wonderful. The gardeners at Alnwick are very good with plant supports. They use lots of twiggy supports for the perennials such as the poppies and peonies which are invisible once the plants are in full growth.

Here are the delphiniums from July 08.

Last summer once the delphiniums were over they were replaced with pots of agapanthus which I thought was a great idea.

Dear Sue, I will make this (your) thread 'Sticky' for you so it cannot be moved. If you want another one for anything please just ask and it will be done, as you are always extremely welcome here!
My wife saw some green plastic spirals at Chelsea for her Delphiniums so bought them, they are said to be near invisible, so I will let you know if they work.
I love Agapanthus, wonderful plant and a great 'Blue' flowering plant, although I know there are pink ones and white as well.
My wife's Delphiniums are already quite high, and the Lupins are coming on in leaps and bounds!
Here is the side of the old stables at Beckenham Place Park (1730).
Regards.
Neil.

Oh my goodness, those gardens are just stunning! You folks really know how to create incredible gardens! I must say I am in awe. Thank you for sharing.

Brenda

I'm in awe as well. To Have that MUCH color already had me green with envy,( my most colorful still aren't bloomimg, just green)

Great pictures Sue, thanks for sharing

Charley and I decided we would pop in and view your Beautiful Gardens. It is terribly difficult to convience my mule not to eat the flowers but he does enjoy the beauty of them so much I am sure.

Those gardens are really fantastic. But, I would mind one of the 'houses'!!

Nanct

Dear Nancy, which one do you want I will send it over!
Regards.
Neil.

The biggest one, of course, Neil.

If you dream, dream BIG!

Hugs,


Nancy

This week the gardens have offered free entry (and to the castle as well) for all public sector workers. I have an annual pass to the garden but my work colleague had never been before and asked me if I'd like to go with her. It was a very hot day and thousands of people turned up. I wonder if the gardens were ready for such a response!

Here's a view overlooking the serpentine garden with its water sculptures.

Dear Sue, that is lovely! It is Chelsea this week and at the moment it is very hot here. So I am hoping it is not going to rain for Chelsea!
Regards.
Neil.
p.s. Hornimans Museums Formal Garden yesterday!

And the castle as always looked wonderful.

Yes, I will take that one. Do you think it's too big for Bob, Archie and myself? Oh well.

Beautiful, Sue.

Neil, what are those beautiful flowers?

Nancy

Dear Nancy, they are wallflowers!
Regards.
Neil.