Great Dixter, and jungle fantasies....

Last weekend was my birthday...on Friday I went bowling (note to self....wearing jeans that are too tight, eating too much and then drinking beer isn’t good for your bowling. Note to friends....it’s my birthday, I should have won by at least 20 points). Then on Sunday we went to the East Sussex/Kent borders to first pop in on Bodiam Castle as it is a fabulous proper castle, then go to the house and garden of the late Christopher Lloyd which coincidentally had a plant fair!

I told you it was proper!

Any regular readers will know how much I love Christopher Lloyd...his style of gardening is very aligned to my own. He also famously dug up his rose garden to plant a jungle style garden. So a trip was a lovely birthday treat.

Firstly I was impressed by the plant fair as there were some interesting nurseries...there was a Belgian Persicaria specialist, and French Michaelmas daisy person with whom communication was a little hazy when I was asking for ones which had mildew resistance as his English wasn’t great.... erm...ilya une daisy that er pas de malaise de erm blanc malaise on the erm leaf?? However I did manage to buy a good few things as bizarrely a lot of the plants I had been chasing for years were all at the fair..

 

Anyway, the garden was a fabulous joy to wander around....dense and eclectic planting which had evolved since the last time I was there. For me the jungle garden was also like a giant orgasm....dense exotic planting which was huge and close, making it feel claustrophobic and like a proper jungle. Wonderful plants which I imagine must take a lot of watering and feeding.  Lots to be inspired by, go and see it!

The garden has all this great topiary which gives a strong structure..

the long border...lots of Phlox

Kaffir lily....mmm

There was a lot of this French marigold used as a filler....great colour and very useful

Lots of salvias which I was lusting over....I think this one is rather tender

I have no idea what this is (its about 3ft..help please!)

this is the jungle garden from a distance...its not massive and I love how enclosed it is...from here it almost looks caged!

Gorgeousness.....Tetrapanax and a fabulous lush looking Persicaria

swoon......I want I want I want!

I think this is tree of heaven? help! I want one!

Great colour matching with the lancewood, cannas and stems of Ricinus

Begonia luxurians....swoon again

Cannas, bananas and a giant Dahlia....such bliss!