What do you do for a day trip when you are spending the week at a world-famous garden? Why, visit another world-famous garden of course. John has always wanted to attend a study day at Great Dixter. As luck would have it, they were offering a full-day workshop on succession planting while we are staying at Sissinghurst, and since the two gardens are only about 30 minutes from each other, it seemed like a no-brainer. I decided to be a good sport and go along with John, but I ended up really enjoying myself. First off, we had been to Great Dixter once before and I knew it was beautiful. Second we had perfect weather. Third, we met very nice like minded people. Fourth, since it was a Monday, the garden was closed to visitors. Fifth, I really learned a lot and feel like I have graduated from Assistant to the Gardener to Assistant Gardener.
Wildflowers, thatched roof, brick paving make for a charming walk from the car park.Picturesque volunteers at the ticket booth.Dog with pot garden.Our classmates upon arrival. Note how the Lutyens addtion meets the Tudor house.Pay attention, there will be a quiz.I snapped several pictures in the house before I saw the sign telling me not to.Seeds.This made me realize that since we renovated the house, almost five years ago, I haven’t put my rock collection out.I love a pot garden.One of the many glories of Great Dixter is all the things growing out of places they weren’t meant to be.The house on a perfect day.An umbellifer making a good show of it.I don’t think this sempervivum climbed onto the roof on their own.More lovely volunteers.I don’t know how this doesn’t cause water infiltration into the house. It would at my house.Such a lovely iris.Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter.You had to be there. This makes sense.Taken on my phone, if you can believe it.I’m not sure the Dachshunds would hold enough water.Such a beautiful gate.The bench is being eaten by plants.The walk up to the prim lawn at the front of the house is this lovely meadow.He almost got a ticket.Fergus’ brother brought this rescue cat back from Afghanistan.
I am thoroughly enjoying your reports about Sissinghurst and Great Dixter. In the 1990s, my husband and I were fofs of Christopher Lloyd, and he invited us to have lunch with him in the kitchen at Great Dixter. I am so glad to see that it is thriving.
Another reader who’s thoroughly enjoying this series of reports – visited Sissinghurst and Great Dixter in the fall of 2017, and your writing and pictures are a wonderful reminder of those beautiful places. Thank you for sharing in such vivid detail!
hogglestock 
I am thoroughly enjoying your reports about Sissinghurst and Great Dixter. In the 1990s, my husband and I were fofs of Christopher Lloyd, and he invited us to have lunch with him in the kitchen at Great Dixter. I am so glad to see that it is thriving.
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Another reader who’s thoroughly enjoying this series of reports – visited Sissinghurst and Great Dixter in the fall of 2017, and your writing and pictures are a wonderful reminder of those beautiful places. Thank you for sharing in such vivid detail!
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Lovely photos as usual.
Congratulations on your promotion to Assistant Gardener!
You have a rock collection? Somehow I am not surprised. You should share it with us sometime. :D
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Enchanting seems like the proper word here. :)
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