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.