Tulip Top Gardens 2013

Last week was filled with self indulgence as my city (area) celebrates Spring.  I have already posted about Floriade, but the next day we continued the garden glory binge.

Floriade and the Tulip Top Gardens are open for the same period each year.  Floriade is a local government initiative, and Tulip Top Gardens are the brain child and the blood, sweat and no doubt tears of a single family.

While both gardens will be open for another fortnight it was obvious to us when we saw Floriade that the gardens were at their peak.  So the very next day we headed off to Tulip Top Gardens.  It is a little way out of town, 13 kilometres from the showground, and in another state (New South Wales).  A pleasant drive, and always a treat.

Both gardens are a riot of colour, and tulips feature prominently.  Just the same there are a lot of differences.

Floriade is free to enter.  Tulip Top Gardens charges $13 for an adult (with senior concessions).  Included in that fee is unlimited tea and coffee and if you arrive around lunch time a sausage sandwich is thrown in (which usually gives the skinny one a big lunch).  Despite the entry fee Tulip Top is a great deal less commercial.  There is one shop where you can buy food, one garden shop and a couple of other stalls.  Floriade is a marketing bonanza and you can buy everything from bulbs to pearls - not forgetting sun glasses, designer clothing, fudge, soap or curry mixes.  And more.  And rather a lot more.  Including more food stalls than you could shake a stick at, ranging from hot dogs to restaurants.

Tulip Top Gardens was established in 1997 by one couple, and is still owned and run by the same family.  Each year over half a million bulbs and flowers are planted by hand.  Which puts my efforts to shame.  There are over 1000 blossom trees, a waterfall and watercourse.  The sound of frogs is everywhere - and some day I will see one there.  Classical music is wafted from the trees and there are chairs littered around the garden to sit and absorb the splendour - or, as I noticed several people doing, to nod off in the sun.

Less rabitting, more photos.  Clicking will, as always embiggen.

I loved the avenue of forsythia, and thought that the underplanting of gold pansies was brilliant.

 There is a look out - with shade and chairs.  It is a long and steep walk - but worth it.  So very worth it.

Do you see what I mean?

I try and get to both Floriade and the Tulip Top Gardens every year.  They are both wonderful - but Tulip Tops is first in my affections.

The smaller portion is still having significant issues with both his digestion and his mouth.  Which cancelled each other out so that he could enjoy these outings.  His poor sore mouth means that eating is difficult - so his digestion is not being tested at the moment.  Swings and roundabouts.

Two outings in two days both involving significant walking are too much for me.  I paid, and am still paying with increased fatigue and more pain.  And have paid as high a price for things which didn't bring me a fraction of the pleasure that these outings did.  So, in case you hadn't guessed, I am very glad we went.