Snowdrops and other delights at Doddington Hall 2026 (part two)

Here are more photos from the visit to Doddington Hall last weekend.  

I do enjoy photos where you are looking through door or gates or hedges.

Here is a close up of the rhododendron which you can just see in the middle of the previous photo.

It is such a peaceful place.

This is looking at the back of the house, and there will be lots of bearded irises in flower here later in the Spring.  Look at that blue sky - something we haven't seen that much of this dull, grey, wet winter.

We saw a single iris, probably a reticulata, which was just going over, but which had very painterly stripes.

Around the ancient sweet chestnut trees (at least 450 years old), there were more crocuses, early daffodils, cyclamen and snowdrops.

Those trees are incredible.

The crocuses were loving the sunshine.

Back in the kitchen garden, the bug hotel 'sculptures' were looking good.

These birch tree trunks had been drilled to provide more insect homes - perhaps for solitary bees.  They made a striking feature too.

It was a lovely visit and the weather made it so much more enjoyable.

Cheerful things

 In a rather dull and grey winter, it is always cheering to see signs of growth and the promise of Spring.  While winter can be lovely when it gives blue skies and wintry sunshine, the dull days can seem very long.  I was in the garden and noticed the snowdrops starting to poke their heads up. It won't be long before they are in flower.

 Another little clump in the garden.

 A very welcome splash of yellow is provided by winter flowering jasmine, with its straggly stems.  The flowers do make up for its untidy habit.

I also found the noses of one of my patio peonies (I think this one is 'Athens') with the promise of beautiful flowers in late Spring/Early Summer.  This is a really encouraging sight.
I have also just bought a rhododendron 'Tinkerbird' which is meant to be happy in a pot as it is a dwarf variety.  It is supposed to be very hardy, having been bred in Scotland and is also said to have a jasmine scent in May.  My plant is looking healthy and has lots of buds.  I will let you know how I get on with it.

Doddington Hall, Lincoln

Yesterday, I went to Doddington Hall, Lincoln, (http://www.doddingtonhall.com) with my friend Angie and enjoyed a very nice lunch in the Farm shop and Cafe, before heading out to enjoy the gardens. Doddington is known for its irises, and although some had gone over, some were still beautiful. The above photo was taken in the woodland area, looking across the fields to a barn.

The irises looking gorgeous in the formal garden.

The vibrant colours of the rhododendrons and azaleas which greeted us. We spotted lots of others on our walk round the gardens. I think they look best in a woodland area - they seem to 'belong' there. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.