Martagon Lilies

The Martagon Lilies are flowering under the 100 year old oaks, right through December. They really are special. So subtle compared to their bold cousins! So lovely up close when you can see their little freckles...

Lilies......

 It is that time of year when the lilies are in full song at Dursley. Judith has a succession of varieties coming through, so they go on for months. The Asiatics are just glorious at the moment - and soon the incredibly fragrant Christmas Lilies will be out. Can't wait! Gorgeous in the garden , and also filling the house with fragrance when picked for the table.

And not to be outshone - the peonies are vying for attention in other parts of the garden!

NZ Clematis Flowers

Clematis paniculata - (Puawhananga) MALE



Unknown (by us!) Clematis at Dursley





The mass of clematis flowers in the shade house at Dursley

 As with many species, the male seems to be 'prettier' than the female! We are not certain of the botanical name of the Clematis at Dursley, but it is likely to be the female of it's form. Isn't this a fascinating contrast between the two different vines?
Does anybody out there know exactly which clematis the second plant is?

Roses.....

Roses - ah the roses - literally 100's of them. Every shape, size, and colour you can imagine. Judith has them all, it would seem. They are glorious, though, and they are just hitting their stride ready for a summer of blooming. This is just a small selection of them, photographed yesterday. More are revving into action every day. Watch this space......

Rhododendrons



The Philadelphus fragrance is incredible at the moment.

 The Rhododendrons are making a colourful display at Dursley this month. Many are huge old bushes, while more recent additions are incredibly fragrant. Between the Rhododrendron and the Philadelphus, it is fragrant heaven at the moment. Come on out, as Judith would love to see you, and share her gorgeous garden.  

November in the Garden

Cerinthe major

Azalea

Bearded Iris

Philadelphus and daisy

Mid-spring at Dursley, and the colours have changed once again. This really is a garden to be visited at different times of the year to get the true picture of how it changes through the seasons. The perfume of enormous Philadelphus bushes is intoxicating right now. If only the internet was clever enough to send fragrance! The roses are next. Watch this space!

Tulip Season

October is TULIP SEASON at Dursley. Judith plants hundreds of new bulbs every year, and now has an outstanding display in areas throughout the garden. Come out and visit in the next couple of weeks to enjoy the show. The giant Spanish Bluebells are in full glory at the moment, too. Never a dull moment in this garden!





Mass planting of red beside the ancient Arbutus



Pink by the house

A Host of Golden Daffodils

August and Setember are definately daffodil month at Dursley! Along with great swathes of them in Dingly Dell, and sweeping across lawns, Judith has been adding special varieties every year. Close inspection of their individual perfection is invited. These are some of the favourites............

Garden Open Again

Snowbells

Miniature daffiodils

Hellebores - winter roses

Waxeyes outside the kitchen window.

After several months of major work in the garden, Judith is opening Dursley to the public again from this weekend, so if you are in the area, do come out and have a look at the gorgeous winter flowers. These photos were taken last week, so this is some of what you will see in drifts under the trees......

Winter Development

Even the grandchildren helped out!

Trees chopped down to open up views

Auckland Metro about to be planted

There have been trees chopped down, more roses planted (yes - you read that correctly), barrow loads of 'stuff' taken for composting.....It has been all go at Dursley over winter, as the photos show.....

Garden closed for winter, reopening August

For the first time in many years, Judith is closing the garden for two months over winter. Ever busy, Judith is having lots of work done on trees and developing new garden areas, so decided to not open to the public for June and July, as the garden will be impossible to keep tidy. Apologies to disappoint you, if you were planning a visit.
Make sure to be lined up at the gate on the first of August, however, as the HELLEBORES, and DAFFODILS in particular, will be in full swing, along with Grape hyacinths and the deciduous flowering shrubs. Check out the WINTER page to see what else you can expect....

Tree Dahlia towering above the house, May 2011. Stunning.

Carpets of cyclamen!

The Cyclamen are MAGNIFICENT at the moment! They are carpeting the ground under the trees - that's the white and pink blur in the middle picture! Judith calls them 'The Little People'....

Then the woodland anemones are another gorgeous feature!

The Autumn colours are just starting. Cool nights, hot days - the plants are loving it! These photos were taken yesterday, so that's mid-March if you are planning a visit - either this weekend, or next year!