#2017 best nine on Instagram

For those who don’t follow @theenduringgardener on Instagram (why not?) as well as those that do (thank you), I thought it would be nice to end the year with the posts that attracted the most ‘likes’ – and add some captions and comments.  Great Dixter features in four of the photos – hardly surprising, given that I live a mere half an hour away, I am a Friend of Dixter which gives me year round access (£72 a year and includes free entry to The Chelsea Physic Garden) and it is an endless source of inspiration.

Top Left: A beautifully elegant glazed balcony in Seville

Top Middle: Late spring at Dixter in the Peacock Garden looking towards the house through drifts of cow parsley and giant fennel

Top Right: My bargain vintage copper pot bought in Hastings Old Town for a mere £30 – I planted a dahlia in it during the summer and it is now planted with tulips

Centre Left: The Topiary Lawn at Great Dixter at dusk in mid-summer

Centre Middle: a wall of roses on the stand of The Real Flower Company at the Chelsea Flower Show

Centre Right: Amy, one of the students at Great Dixter – a wonderful example of how to look elegant while you garden. Something I seldom achieve!

Bottom Left: Patterns left in the sand by the receding tide on Hastings beach

Bottom Middle: Another view across the planting in the Peacock Garden at Great Dixter

Bottom Right: Spring flowers among the Roman ruins at Paphos in Cyprus.

Happy New Year Everyone – may 2018 be a good year for gardening.