Great Dixter is exactly the type of garden that springs to mind if you say the words, ‘English Garden’. It has that loose cottagey look that is floriferous and bountiful, with the necessary amount of structure to balance it out and keep the effusiveness from seeming too much.

Great Dixter has long been famous as a horticultural hub, largely due to the exquisite plantsmanship and penmanship of the late Christopher Lloyd. Since his death in 2006 the garden has continued to evolve under the wonderful leadership of Fergus Garrett.

Christopher Lloyd’s parents had begun the garden. His mother, Daisy, had an immense influence on Christopher and his gardening practices. His father, Nathaniel, had designed the Sunk Garden, and the Topiary, which continues to provide a strong structural presence in the gardens today.

Christopher wrote a weekly gardening column for the magazine Country Life for decades. He was a style leader, and sometimes an agent of change. He famously wrote about ripping out his mother’s rose garden and replacing it with tropical plants – much to the consternation of some of his readers.

The particular feature of Great Dixter that appeals to me is the ‘hide and reveal’ provided by the hedges and changes in level. There are glimpses of beauty to come, just around the corner, with views of the house from all angles. This leads to a feeling of anticipation and excitement.

Even though I have visited the garden many times over the years, a future trip is always a fun thing to look forward to. I know that I will see some new combination or plants that will inspire me to improve my own garden. This is the best thing about visiting a superb garden, the take away messages and the lasting memories of a day well spent.

Bye for now Gardening Friends. I hope that you are enjoying these personal looks at some of my favorite English Gardens. Please feel free to leave a comment. Cheers, Jenny Rose Carey