Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 29 September 2019

Sunday Selections #448




Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
  
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
 
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
I usually run with a theme
.  This week I am continuing to revel in Spring.  Tulip Top Gardens is a private initiative, brought to us by one family.
These stunning gardens are open at the same time as Floriade and win my vote each and every year.

It is just off the highway, and a million, million miles away from it.  Unlike Floriade there is an entry fee, but it is well worth the price, and despite the fee a great deal less commercial.  The work is done by four people, two of them in their seventies and each year they plant hundreds and hundreds of bulbs.

I took hundreds (literally) of  photos so this is a sneak preview.  Tulip Top Gardens deserves (and will get) a post of its own.  Soon.

Less talk, more garden photos.










I bought some Bellis Perennis like the ones above - and the cockatoos beheaded and shredded about a third of the pot before I could plant them.


I adore the forsythia avenue (and they have planted more this year).  The underplanting of violas sets them off beautifully.




I braved the walk to the look-out again this year.  The trees have grown and you can no longer see  much of the gardens below - but it is still a spectacular view.



Included in the admission fee is free tea and coffee all day - and even the tablecloths were decorated with flowers.



I liked the garden ornaments available for sale in one of the very few stores on site too.




I enjoyed the pattern in this bed too, and salute the indigenous designer.



 Even the carpark was pretty.  The site is festooned with blossom trees, gentle classical music plays, and frog calls add to the ambiance.  Complete bliss - and we were lucky with the weather too.  Sunshine, and gentle breezes.

Do you wonder that my trigger finger got a heap of exercise?  Almost all of the site is disability friendly and there are chairs dotted about for people to soak up the sun (and in some cases nap).  You can take a picnic or buy a meal there.  There is a stall where you can buy some of the featured plants, a small shop, two food stalls and lots of beauty on display.





 

140 comments:

  1. Wow, EC! Your post just took "colorful" to a whole new level!

    Thank you for sharing this incredible breath of fresh air!

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    1. Wally Jones: It really is a glorious garden, and I am in awe at the work involved.

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  2. You got some stunner flowers EC, absolutely gorgeous and I love the bird ornaments.

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    1. DeniseinVA: I liked the birds too, and the snail, but resisted temptation.

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    2. Well done on that :) I would have tried very hard to do the same.

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    3. DeniseinVA: I am getting better except where books, plants (or earrings) are concerned. About time too.

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  3. Replies
    1. Bea: Isn't it? Each and every year we think it can't be as good as it was last year - and it is.

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  4. laurie: We spend a few very happy years there each year, and sometimes go twice.

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  5. Free drinks and less people and commercialism is worth a fee to enter. Place is beautiful. And really impressed it's put together by four people.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: My own garden is much smaller than theirs and is still too much for me. I am awed at their achievements.

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  6. Oh wow!! That is a stunning garden.

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    1. CountryMum: It is. There are over 1000 blossom trees in addition to the bulbs.

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  7. Definitely a place I would enjoy...Beautiful. How are you and how is your cat?

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    1. e: Eavesdropping (a bad habit I know) on conversations as I wandered around, everyone there was enjoying it. Jazz is yanking my chain on a regular basis, but has just eaten breakfast, which is wonderful. I am much the same. How are you and Lukas doing?

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    2. Both well, thanks. I like that this venue is disability friendly.

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    3. e: Glad you are both well. They offer discounts for pensioners which includes a lot of people with disabilities - and they also offer discounts for carers.

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  8. You certainly did take a lot of beautiful photos, EC....and we are the lucky beneficiaries. Thank you for sharing the beauty.

    I hope the coming week treats you kindly...and I also hope Jazz is doing well. Cuddles go his way. :)

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    1. Lee: Thank you. It would be hard NOT to take beautiful photos at Tulip Top Gardens. Jazz is mostly doing better, though I still worry. I hope you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.

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  9. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous! The weather looked spectacular too. I wonder why the cockatoos don't behead their flowers? I'm sure it's not out of respect for the property. Loved the snail ornament as well. Thanks for taking me along for your walk!

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    1. River Fairchild: I wondered about the absence of vandals too. A newspaper article about Floriade mentioned that they were having 'fun' there too.

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  10. What a beautiful place. So well designed.
    I certainly would like to visit that place if I lived close to there.
    Thanks for the gorgeous pictures.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: The garden is only open for one month a year. I love their spring display but would like to see it in every season. Which is greedy of me, but true.
      Hugs received and reciprocated.

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  11. Each photo is spectacular! Love this post. I miss spring!

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    1. Marie Smith: The way the year is zipping past your Spring will be here again before you know it. I do hope your winter is gentle and kind though.

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  12. This seems like the model for gardens throughout the world. The fact that it is so accessible for people with disabilities is very laudatory. I would love to sit there and have a coffee and a chat with whomever happened to be there.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Over the years I have noticed that people are particularly 'chatty' here, and readily strike up conversations. I don't think it is co-incidence either. Beauty and calm seem to bring out the best in most of us.

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  13. So very, very lovely and serene. I love the beautiful spring flowers and love to be reminded by you that they are in bloom right this very minute! :-)

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    1. DJan: They are. In glorious profusion. In a few short months the magic of the blogosphere will remind me that not everyone is sweltering. I am so grateful that it makes the world more accessible.

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  14. What a fantastic selection of photos, EC; this visit must be pretty near the top of your list every year. I'm so glad you had such an enjoyable day. I don't think I could have resisted the snail!

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    1. Alexia: It is definitely something I look forward to each and every year since we discovered it. I liked the snail, but resisted.

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  15. Very like Heaven I think, my Dear 🌞

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    1. Cloudia: It is impressive isn't it? And an incredibly peaceful spot.

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  16. What gorgeous displays! Mass plantings are so striking. Tulip Tops' people have a keen eye for colour schemes; the forsythia and violas are especially lovely. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful shots.

    I'm sorry birds got at your Bellis Perennis (which are lovely flowers). You have bird vandals, we have deer vandals. In both cases, the flowers suffer.

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    1. jenny_o: They have an excellent eye for colour and design. The vandals have toned it down a bit over the last few days. Am I right in thinking your deer vandals eat what they plunder? The cockatoos simply shred.

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    2. You are correct - and it's an important distinction, now that you've pointed it out. The deer sometimes pull out a plant before realizing it's not something they want (we replanted many flower sets this year because of it) but they are generally just trying to find something to eat.

      I wonder why the cockatoos shred the plants - do the colours offend them? Does the scent offend them? Wouldn't it be interesting to know?!

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    3. jenny_o: Curiosity? They shred plants, and they also attack homes and shade sails. In our local area they often pull the plastic insulation from around street lamps and swing from it. I haven't noticed a colour preference (or dislike) but will keep checking to see if I can see a pattern.

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    4. Maybe they're just hyperactive little beggars :)

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    5. jenny_o: Or perhaps they are just vandals. And hyperactive with it. They are beautiful birds despite the damage (which I sometimes say through gritted teeth).

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  17. Tulip Top has my 1000% vote. Gratitude to the family that maintains it for our pleasure. And tea and coffee all day!
    Do you have cardinals in Australia? Is that what the little red ceramic bird represents?

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    1. Joanne Noragon: No cardinals. I think they relied on imagination, but it is unmistakeably a very cute bird.
      The tea and coffee are instant, but it is a very generous gesture. We thoroughly enjoyed our cuppa too.

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  18. How I would love to visit that garden. The tulip is my favorite flower. Long ago we visited tulip and daffodil fields in Washington state. Beautiful flowers as far as I could see.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: It is an annual treat for us, and I am incredibly grateful to have found it. I would like to see tulip and daffodil fields as well, but this garden in the 'hidden valley' is spectacular.

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  19. Oh my gosh I'd go nuts there with all the color and beauty!

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    1. Strayer: We smile so broadly our faces ache - each and every year.

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  20. So much here to ooh and aah at. the colour combinations in particular are spectacular. I love the metal snail.

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    1. River: They do amazing work don't they? I am particularly impressed with their underplantings.

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  21. What a lovely place, and lovely photos! So sad that the rotten cockatoos shredded your flowers, though. I like birds; but if they shred my pretty plants, I lose my friendly feelings fast!

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    1. Diane Henders: I gun the cockatoos down with pleasure when they are attacking the garden (with a pump action water pistol). Unfortunately they are quick and have wreaked significant damage. For most of the year I like to see them, but in spring my feelings change...

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  22. What strikes me is the lack of greed and rush, so prevalent elsewhere.
    The sharing, at minimal charge, is something we seldom encounter. Even when something is "free" there is usually crass advertising involved.
    Thank you for this.

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    1. dinahmow: You are so right. They generously share their garden with the public (and I cannot see how they make a profit either). Bulbs are not cheap to plant. The atmosphere in these gardens is just lovely. If ever you are down at the right time we will go there.

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  23. What a lovely garden, full of beautiful colors! Thank you so much for those beautiful pictures, cos in here it is Fall everywhere ☺

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    1. natalia20041989: I will probably continue to bombard you with photos of Spring for a little while. That said, autumn/fall is a beautiful time of the year in its own right.

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  24. Beautiful Spring! What a nice place to be.

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    1. Bill: It was a really nice place to spend a sunny day.

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  25. Hi EC - stunning photos ... gorgeous colours - I too love the Bellis daisies ... but all the others I'd swoon about! Those little ornaments are such - especially the snail! I agree your tulips are the best ... so glad you can get out and enjoy. Looking forward to more photos of Spring ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: There was a lot to swoon about in this garden (and swoon I did). I will put up another Tulip Top Gardens post - and probably also some of our garden over the next few weeks.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It is really lovely and makes me wonder how many other unseen gems bloom where we cannot see them.

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  27. Dear EC
    What a beautiful garden and how lovely to spend some time there (even virtually). The snail metal sculpture made me smile. The spring blossom is so lovely. Thank you for the preview and I really look forward to the next post about this garden.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: I know you would have a wonderful time in this garden. It will unfold even more over the coming weeks and I was very pleased to see it get some publicity in the local paper (which it usually doesn't). The snail was fun wasn't it?

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  28. Dear Sue...how can I ever thank you enough for bringing spring into my life, on this dreadfully stormy autumn day?!
    Oh how utterly delightful your photos are...I so wish I were there...😊😊

    Wishing you a magical day...

    With all my love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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    1. Ygraine: It is my pleasure - and I wish that you could be here. I hope your storms cause no damage and that you are well. Hugs. Today and always.

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  29. It is such a delight to see this as our cold grey winter approaches, and it is interesting to see so many flowers similar to those in the UK. My Mother was also a great lover of forsythia and it’s golden display.

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    1. lostinimaginaryworlds: Almost none of the blooms on display here are Australian natives. It is beautiful (so very beautiful) anyway. My British mother loved forsythia too, and passed that love on.

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  30. I can imagine spending hours there and taking hundreds of pictures. I adore flower gardens, so lovely, and so peaceful.

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    1. mshatch: You would have plenty of company. Everywhere we looked there were smiling people (and rather a lot of photos being taken). I noticed less selfies than usual at a public event too.

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  31. Words can not capture the true beauty. Thanks for sharing. This is one place I'd love to visit. So amazing.

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    1. Mason Canyon: It is an annual treat for us, and I am so grateful that so many of you agree about just how beautiful it is.

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  32. I must admit - I'm a little jealous. What a beautiful, peaceful place. I doubt I'll ever be near it, so I'm soooo grateful for your pictures and even for the exposure that such a place exists. I'm glad that you can enjoy it.

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    1. Myrna R.: I am frequently a little jealous of wonders from your side of the world - and so grateful that the blogosphere shows me the magic.

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  33. How gorgeous and disability friendly to boot? Perfect. What a magnificent annual treat for yourself. I am in awe of such a stunning place. Inspiring.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: It really is a treat, and one that is always on our 'must see' list. I am completely awed by the vision and sheer hard work of its creators.

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  34. I love those pictures. Flowers, plants and trees... There's something about them that makes me smile. Plus: sunshine. We need sunshine :)

    Blue

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    1. Blue Grumpster: We smiled too. Rather a lot. In the months to come I suspect we will be wishing the sunshine away though.

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  35. I came here from DJan's blog, and love your photos and writings so much that I have added you to my blog roll. Greetings from Hawaii.

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    1. gigihawaii: Welcome and thank you. I am very, very fond of DJan and any friend of hers is more than welcome.

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  36. The flowers are just so pretty. I love pink and purple flowers so some of these were my favorites.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: There was a lot of beauty here, and some of it would have suited your tastes perfectly.

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  37. Just look at everything Springing! So much new life it feels like balm to my soul to see it.
    Thanks for sharing the loveliness,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: I am so glad that Tulip Top Gardens could give you some heart balm at this sad and difficult time in your life. Hugs.

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  38. Beauty, all those flowers. So many. I am speechless.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Lots and lots and lots of flowers. And beauty. And serenity.

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  39. I really enjoy this tulip and spring show. I'm very impressed by the design of Cyndy Newman - it looks beautiful as a flowerbed. What a fantastic idea. I also like the garden ornaments, both the birds (of course) and the snail. Lovely work, and it certainly looks good among the flowers. The view from the lookout always is delightful.

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    1. Carola Bartz: This really is a spectacular garden, and I never know which bits of it I enjoy most.

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  40. It seems bigger and better each year. I really hope there is some succession planning in place. Gorgeously lavish photos.

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    1. Andrew: It really is better each year (unlike Floriade). I believe the younger members of the planting team are family members and I really, really hope they keep it going.

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  41. Enjoy the beauty of your spring. So much color and I can almost smell the flowers. Here, I smell dried leaves as autumn brings in a different hue of color.

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    1. Truedessa: I am a big, big fan of autumn too. I do love the arboreal fireworks and the elegance of the trees bare branches as the leaves fall.

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  42. A place well worth the visit, as you noted. Thank you so much for sharing the view.

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    1. messymimi: My pleasure, and I am glad you enjoyed it.

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  43. No wonder in every scripture in the world perfection is equal to a garden! Beyond beautiful.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Most definitely - and soothing too.

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  44. Pink blossoms on trees are always my favorite. When I lived in a cold state, there was a tree that would blossom for a very short time, and the blooms were pink (they would fall off shortly thereafter, but they were spectacular when they were in bloom).I used to drive around town to find them and take pictures. These are all gorgeous here (especially those pink blooms and the tulips!). And yes, I can see taking a nap in the sun here. Boy, could I! :)

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    1. mail4rosey: Each and every year we see people doing just that - and they all look blissfully happy. There are over 1000 blossom trees there and though not all of them were out it was an incredible sight.

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  45. Stunning! I love spirng flowers best of all!
    We're in the beginnings of our glorious fall here in Canada. Ma Nature sure knows how to put on a show!

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    1. Jemi Fraser: Nature has the best galleries and a spectacular colour palette too.

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  46. What a wonderful place to visit. Here we are just going into our fall season, so have to wait awhile for such beauty, especially with trees, although its Florida, the sub-tropics, so we really have many gardens all year long. Thanks for letting me tag along.

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    1. J C: We get four quite distinct seasons here, and with the exception of summer I love them all.

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  47. Good morning! I'm so happy you braved the walk again, your captures are lovely and always bring joy to my day. Such spectacular blooms too! Enjoy your week.

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    1. 21 Wits: That walk is steep, and each year I wonder whether I can do it. So far, so good and the reward is that glorious view. I hope your week is filled with colour and joy.

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  48. Love the pink and white flowered trees.
    A blessed New Year to you, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I am fascinated that some of the trees are both pink AND white flowered. I hope your New Year (and all the ones to come) is blissful.

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  49. It took true dedication to plant all those beds with tulips and the rest look amazing. I'm really happy to see this happening on our planet as our bees are I'm sure because we need them more than they need us.

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    1. Spacer Guy: There were lots and lots of happy bees (I even got a photo or two of them). You are so very right - we do need them more than they need us.

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  50. So many pretty flower pictures!

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  51. How can there be such beauty in one place!

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    1. Susan Kane: In this case, the beauty is brought about by the work of four people. Four people with vision who put in the hard yards to make it happen.

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  52. What an amazing place and huge kudos to those 4 people!! Magnificent job and foresight to know how and where to plant everything. Looking forward to the post whenever it gets itself planted on these pages :)

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    1. Mark Koopmans: Kudos and awe. My own garden is a fraction of the size (and the beauty) and is frequently too much for me.
      Next week for the full (photo heavy) post I think.

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  53. Such beautiful flowers and trees. Wow! If it was closer to me I would want to go every year too. I am sure it must be a labor of love for the four people who do all the work. I am amazed. Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing even more. Oh- and the Bellis Perennis are beautiful! Hope some of them survived. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: Labour of love or not, there is a LOT of work involved. I am awed, and grateful. Some of the Bellis Perennis have survived. Hopefully the vandals will leave them alone now.

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  54. dear EC this is irresistibly magnificent garden
    sights you have shared are vibrant and captivating
    garden truly sounds piece from heaven :) i can imagine how swiftly and constantly you must have been clicking all the time you spent there :) it was worth it indeed

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    1. baili: It is an incredible garden, and I am grateful (every year) for the hard work which goes into it, and the generosity of the gardeners who share it.

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  55. Wow- beautiful spring sights! Thank you for sharing these gorgeous sights...

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    1. Lady Fi: It was my pleasure (and there will be another post from this garden next week some time).

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  56. Stunning photos. Thank you for sharing all these beautiful photos.

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    1. Kelly Steel: Thank you. I love my garden, but this one puts me to shame.

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  57. Wow! Free tea and coffee all day to hang out at such a vibrant and lovely place would definitely be worth it. They may have had to kick me out EC!(lol) Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: In years gone by you receive a cuppa and a sausage sandwich. I think unlimited tea/coffee is a better deal, and incredibly generous. And yes, the gardens are sublime.

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  58. Oh my gosh. Beautiful. Can you imagine keeping up with all that in your seventies? I'm moaning and groaning about pulling the hose out daily.

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    1. Sandra Cox: I am not yet seventy and struggle with my MUCH smaller (and less visionary) garden.

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  59. The flowers and the flowering trees and bushes are so splendid. They really lift the heart. Thank you for this lovey share.

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    1. Elizabeth Varadan, Author: I look forward to this trip every year. Heart balm at its very best.

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  60. Doesn't Spring look great!
    Stunning photographs you've shared, I have so enjoyed scrolling up and down several times to go back and see them again. If I lived nearby I could certainly spend many happy hours there, truly beautiful flowers.

    Happy October wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member: Thank you. Spring is such a vivid and vibrant time of the year. We think these gardens are a perfect showcase for the season.

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  61. I Love your photos!! Beautiful...I see you sure got some exercise climbing that hill. Worth it though to enjoy the beauty

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    1. Kim@stuffcould...: It was. Each year I wonder whether I can do it. So far I have managed. For which I am grateful.

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  62. Thanks for sharing all those beautiful pictures of spring with us. They make for an uplifting start to my day, and I'm thrilled that you can still make it to the top of that hill. :)

    It still feels like summer here, with record-breaking highs in the nineties every day for what seems like forever. (Although we did have two cooler days, separated by a cool enough night to open the windows. A tantalizing preview of things to come...)

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    1. Susan: I do hope that your cooler days settle in with you. Soon. I am also glad that I can still make that climb. Very glad (and a tad surprised).

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  63. The gorgeous colours of spring!!
    That trigger finger got tired I'm sure, but it was worth it!
    : ))

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    1. Caterina: The trigger finger, the legs, the eyes and the smile were ALL tired - but yes, it was definitely worth it.

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  64. What a truly amazing place! Wow! Breath taking flowers and trees! That is so special, that they make it a place, where everyone can go, have fun and relax! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: It is a truly wonderful, wonderful place. This year for the first time it got some publicity in the local paper - I do hope that more people go. Big hugs to you too.

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  65. I love your photos from Tulip Tops every year! I always think I must go there.....some day I'll get my act together!

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    1. kylie: It is a really beautiful place, and some day I hope you can see it for yourself.

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