The Drama of Gardens in Winter

Hammamelis (Witch Hazel) - sweet scented and blazing with colour

A perfect start to the year - a few hours at Hilliers,  Gardens of my Heart; starting off as a clear blue-skied day, clouding over after lunch. I've never seen the place so crowded…there was a (free) Guided Walk at 2 pm and there must have been 200 people in the crocodile. Fortunately we had taken our walk by then - I'm not much of a 'group doer' of anything in the countryside (or anywhere else, for that matter!)

As usual, we had a delicious lunch in the first class café, which I have also never seen so crowded. In fact, I've not seen the whole gardens so full before, but one of the beauties of the place is that  there is always plenty of space there for one to never feel cramped and for children to run off  steam in a most satisfying manner!

The guided walk Crocodile!

We sat outside, wrapped up against a slight chill but in the sun, which always makes the dogwoods surrounding the veranda glow so beautifully. Today I had a vegan sweet potato chili with rice and nachos. (Oh, how eating in the outdoor air enhances the appetite!)  We are never  disappointed, the quality and value of the food there is exceptional, and we often make the 45 minute drive there just to have lunch.

The 'cafe dogwoods'

Here are a few images of our walk - as you can see, there is much to see even at what is often considered the most barren time of the year. Look closer - it is not barren at all. Snowdrops and daffodils are already appearing, and the beauty of the naked trees - their colourful and varied barks, their bark and branch patterns, their twists and turns are both visually entrancing and evocative of the places which were once the (not so far in the past) home for much of humankind.

Sun through Birch barkBetula utilis and a beautiful blue sky!
Snowdrops
Daffodils - a very early variety

A fabulously gnarled burr on - I think - a Maple
Cornus sanguinea (Dogwood) - 'Midwinter Fire'
The wintertime drama of the naked trees - hidden in the summer

I'm looking even closer now that I have begun the rather wonderful, year long 'Tongues in Trees' course with novelist, poet, eco-warrior and mentor Roselle Angwin - so much beauty and learning stored up for me to immerse myself for twelve lovely months…my Soul is already soothed and restored.

Gunnera leaves cut down, protecting their tender growing points through Winter.

Comments

[Mad Englishwoman]

Lovely pictures as always. I particularly like the gnarled bark. How exciting that you're doing one of Roselle's courses. She's so inspiring. I hope you let us know how you're getting on from time to time.