Great Dixter, Part 4 (the Final Chapter)
This will be my last post on Great Dixter. As I’ve already said, it was our favorite English garden. We liked it so much, in fact, that I felt compelled, almost against my will, to enjoy some of the topiary. But only because it was so very silly.
This was in the Peacock Garden. It’s called the Peacock Garden because it is full of topiaries that were originally meant to be blackbirds, pheasants, and other sorts of birds. Eventually, though, they were all referred to as peacocks. Christopher Lloyd’s mother called this part of the garden as the Parliament of Birds.
When I first saw these topiaries, I had to laugh. At first I thought they looked like turkeys, then squirrels. They certainly look nothing like peacocks.
I don’t know if these topiaries were meant to be humorous or whimsical but that is how they struck me. Not something I would want for my garden in a million years (nor would I recommend anyone spending the time needed to shape the yews in this way), but entertaining nonetheless.
I suspect there was also something tongue-in-cheek about this yew hedge shaped like a ziggurat.
Fortunately, there was more to the Peacock Garden than topiary peacocks/turkeys/squirrels.
Tall grasses and flowers grew luxuriantly around the topiaries. A hedge of calico aster ‘Horizontalis’ (Symphyotrichum lateriflorus) lines one of the stone paths. It was not quite ready to bloom. I’ve found calico aster to grow to shrub size and seed aggressively in fertile soil, so I only plant it in difficult spots. Apparently it is more manageable in England, or maybe it’s just this cultivar.
I think this is a path for the gardeners. A lovely mix of yellow, blue, and pink – with a giant variegated grass in the background to the left.
Crocosmia, asters, teasel, and kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate, which is the tall one with pink flowers in the background. Truly a great name for a plant, isn’t it?
What is this grass – is it Big Bluestem?
Leaving the Peacock Garden, the vista opened up a bit.
We saw something of the Great Dixter house. Lots of flowering containers congregated around the front door.
I liked how succulents were grown here and there on the roof.
Great Dixter was an inspiring garden. The High and Orchard Gardens were for me the most exciting, fearless and unrestrained. Overall, I left thinking about borders much more mixed than I’ve been used to, and with a greater appreciation of yew and boxwood hedges. Also, I felt encouraged to be more experimental with color combinations.
Anyhow, what do you think – did those topiaries look more like peacocks, squirrels, or turkeys?
gardeninacity 
Enjoyed the beautiful photographs and commentary. The scene leaving the peacock garden, where the vista opened up, is just lovely. Are those petunias?
Nicotania, I think.
Really enjoyed the virtual tour. I loved that tall blue salvia(?) next to the narrow path, and am amazed that they have teasels in their borders – they are so invasive here! They look really effective though, and I bet the gardens still look great in winter with all those tall grasses. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I think the blue is Salvia.
You have made me determined to visit Great Dixter again this year.
The topiary looks like some weird turkey/squirrel hybrid. Quite good fun but I wouldn’t want it in my garden. A bit of a waste of effort really.
Thank you for the tour of the garden.
I just saw your post about the garden on the Cote d’Azur, what a great place to go in February.
I too am not fond of the topiary. Strange looking birds. Too bad they can’t molt.
Perhaps they eat a lot of green fruit to get that color.
I bet they do. I wonder what the caretakers eat (or imbibe in) to prune them so.
Love the topiary! (Of course, I would be the one.) This part of the garden would be chaos w/o it, don’t you think? Side note…the first time I visited GDix (2001, I think), the peacock’s tails had been chopped off by someone in a snit. Heard in the village it was a love spat, but who knows.
Thanks for the tour; it’s been exciting to see the garden through your eyes. No question this is one of the top gardens in England, and by far the best in autumn.
I think the garden would be too chaotic without the strong hedges … not sure I would say the same about the topiary.
Ha, those topiaries looked like someones impression of animals and birds. Fun to see. I bet they are really pretty with a dusting of snow. Fun look at Dixter.
I’m sure you’re right about the snow.
The large grass looks like a Miscanthus to me, but I’ve no idea which one. I’ve very much enjoyed seeing all the gardens through your eyes, garden visiting with friends is fun and virtual visiting is fun too. You know I like the topiary (didn’t used to like it), I think the garden needs the structure if it is planted in such a riotous way.
But don’t you think there is sufficient structure in the hedges that surround the different garden rooms?
I don’t mind the topiary – in the right garden of course. I draw the line an box balls in mine. I did have a go at trying to shape one once, that was a complete failure!
I thoroughly enjoyed your tour of Great Dixter with you Jason. It’s a beautiful garden. To me they look more like squirrels than peacocks.
Yes, the green lollipops are most tiresome. Glad you enjoyed the tour!
I vote for peacocks…a bit humorous indeed…but I loved the views and the succulents on the roof.
Me too!
Oh, how I’ve enjoyed the 4 chapters on this marvelous garden! Thanks for sharing so generously, and with such super photos, too. So inspiring this time of year with more than a foot of snow & ice on the ground here.
Uh, they looks like squirrels to me, Jason! Goodness knows, I’m seeing enough of them raiding the bird feeders, despite putting out corn on the cobs & peanuts for them… I, like you, have no desire for any topiary, but enjoy seeing it elsewhere. Have you ever been to Ladew Topiary Gardens near Baltimore?
So glad you enjoyed the posts, Ginny. I have not been to Ladew, actually I have never been to Baltimore – though I have been to DC lots of times and to Philadelphia once. I really should visit.
I admire the Topiary and especially the gardener who is up on ladders maintaining these splendid shapes, they look immaculately clipped. I have so enjoyed your series of posts, it was a great decision to break it up into four sections. Inspiring photos too. A trip to Great Dixter is definitely on the cards this year.
I admire the skill involved, not to mention the dedication, but can’t appreciate the end result all that much.
Squirrels? Quite possible. Whatever they are, but somehow they look cheeky and right among the lively borders. I also have to think of all the hours spent on pruning…time one could spend on other things 😉
And I would definitely spend the time on other things.
How lovely, I have to admit that I rather enjoyed the peacocks….I’ll accept a slapped wrist!
Some wonderful planting, and I loved the house. Lovely post.xxx
I enjoyed them, too, so someone else will have to do the wrist slapping.
Thank your for carefully revealing another Garden treasure for us all to enjoy. — The Healing Garden gardener
You’re welcome.
I thought they looked more like squirrels. What a lot of work!
I like what they did with the containers by the front door.
Me, too, I like a lot of containers around the front door. I have a bunch on my front steps, but our front door is not nearly as impressive.
I vote for squirrels too. I’m a lover of hedges, but so-so on the topiary…. even though a lollipop here and there wouldn’t offend me.
I was reading a book on Sissinghurst and saw a picture from back in the day of some delicate little songbird topiaries… in the picture from the current garden they had turned into overweight turkeys. I guess you have to remember that over the years everything grows and changes in a garden and the topiaries there now might not be anything like what was first planted or planned.
True. I would think the more complicated the topiary the harder it would be to keep it looking the same.
With the exception of the hedge/wall in the first photo, I really don’t like big hedges and the topiaries would give me a headache, regardless of what they are. I prefer his more open garden rooms and love the teasel. I love all the flowering containers and am working on adding more annuals to the garden this summer.
I am also working on mixing more annuals in with my perennials, as well as planting lots of containers.
So Stunning! And yes…his borders are so inspiring! So many different plants, shapes, and colors! Just an gorgeous and peaceful place that I would like to see! I am working on many containers this year…I have been stocking up and tucking planters away in my garage as I buy them! I can’t wait but this snow makes me feel like it will never come! Thanks for sharing your beautiful trip! Nicole!!!
I always think they look like squirrels. And from what I know Lloyd certainly had a sense of humour!
So pleased you enjoyed your visit to a favourite garden of mine and that you found inspiration – I’m lucky enough to be able to visit regularly and buy plants from the nursery. In fact the head gardener Fergus has given me a load of spares that now sit happily in my garden at home – a little bit of Great Dixter on the Promenade so to speak.
I would love to get lost in this garden.
It was hard to leave!
Did you hear that Fergus Garrett, of Great Dixter, will be speaking next month at the Chicago Botanic Garden? Alas, it’s on a Monday, March 24, from 2-4 p.m. Don’t think I’ll be able to make it as a result. Hope you can……
enjoyed the pictures and review of Dixter. I am planning a visit later this year
I’m sure you’ll love it!