Sissinghurst Castle from the north

The perennial pantomime in the porch; the tulip ‘Aladdin’ takes centre stage

The gardeners continue to create colour wheel harmonies; bright and gaudy; cool and relaxed; the garden compartments have diverse compositions.  The spring bulbs, like brass, shout the loudest with purple and red fanfares everywhere. More muted arrangements in spring greens and whites are often simpler tunes in minor keys.

Stone sink on pillars

Hot spring border

Fritillaries and tulips

All the many troughs, large and small, have been planted up against a backdrop of red brick, dark green hedge of yew or spring green of hornbeam, like pictures at an exhibition.

Overweight blue hyacinth and slender pale yellow tulips

Honesty and cream tulips

The planting is often delicate and intimate but at times vibrant, sudden and overpowering.  An English garden of enigmatic variations.

Whiter shades of pale

Deep purples and rich reds

A winning combination