Devonshire Teas @ Dursley

Phew! With about 600 tickets sold for the Pukaha Mount Bruce Garden Tours, Judith had her fair share of that 600 coming through the garden on the weekend. Fantastic weather, and lots of beautiful gardens on show, it would have been a fabulous weekend for visitors and locals to experience the Wairarapa at its finest. Marvellous result for the fundraising, no doubt, for this great native bird reserve.

Devonshire Teas - 3 of about 250!!

Judith, not content to just relax and chat to her visitors, decided that selling Devonshire Teas would be a great idea. And it was. Only there were literally hundreds of visitors that wanted a share of that action!! Full noise in the kitchen on the Saturday, more steady on the Sunday. Judith is amazing with her scones, and can have them whipped up from empty bowl to out of the oven in about 12 minutes. Lucky that. She had to make a few extra batches than she had expected, during the rush. True to form, they all came out beautifully presented, and word soon spread!!

Only a few of the perennials were flowering in time for
the weekend. Peonies, Lupins and Aquilegia.

Pink Manuka hybrids showing up amongst the greenery

The garden itself at Dursley was remarkably restrained (colour-wise) for the weekend, as roses, peonies etc are all just a little late coming into flower. The perennial border was a study of elegance before the brightness erupts. This will look completely different in another two weeks. The bright pink Manuka (Leptospurmum) hybrids added a much-needed splash of colour to the perennial border. They will be finished by the time the main colour explosion hits. Three different hybrids below.

Well done to Judith, and well done Pukaha Mount Bruce for great marketing and choice of gardens. Everybody wins from these kind of tours.

Pukaha Mount Bruce Garden Fundraiser

Dursley Garden is included in the Pukaha Mount Bruce Garden Tour for the first time this year. November is an absolutely stunning time at Dursley with so much spring action. Judith will be selling her usual Devonshire teas, as well as introducing her Bed and Breakfast suite to visitors. Yes, the garden is a little out of the way from the rest of the gardens (15 minutes north east of Masterton), but a lovely drive through the Bideford valley. Worthwhile coming out to meander around the paths, and just relax in the welcoming atmosphere Judith has created. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite, from Novembers past.......

Cyclamen under the trees

A bit confusing - seen here amongst violet foliage

If you are thinking of coming out to visit the Dursley garden, now is a great time to come, and you will get to see the thousands and thousands of cyclamen flowering under the 100 year old trees. They form a carpet of pinks and white. Just gorgeous. Should still be going strong for a few more weeks yet. Come on out and have a look at the perennial borders, too, as well as the autumn flush of roses and lilies. Still loads happening at Dursley.

Pink lilies

Not forgetting the bright pink lilies. Attention seekers!!

Lilies

Lilies in every possible shade of pink, apricot, white, yellow............ The lilies have been outstanding at Dursley this year. For well over a month now they have been in full glory. Don't ask me to identify any - but Judith knows them all by name. In fact, many are bred by Judith by crossing the pollen between various varieties. So even two yellows side by side wil have subtle variations - just gorgeous.

The garden is ablaze with colour at the moment. Do come out. Judith would love to see you.