The Laburnum Tunnel / Arch 2010
The laburnum tunnel / arch at Abbey House Gardens is currently in full bloom. Planted over 15 years ago its been a labour of blood, sweat and tears to continually prune, tie and shape into its current form. Its one of the current features that stops our garden visitors in their tracks and leaves them gobsmacked as they stare towards the sky. The incredible bright yellow of the laburnums intermingled with wisteria double flowering purple and white 'Violacea Plena' in the arch are complemented superbly by the graceful purple alliums.
In the picture above you can see an entrance to the Bower house (on the right). The Bower house is used as an outdoor wedding venue, thankfully a wedding just last weekend experienced the laburnum tunnel in full flower as a backdrop for the ceremony.
This photograph shows the laburnum tunnel entrance adjacent to the Belvedere. Over the wall visitors get a teaser of a view towards the river gardens, another must see throughout the year.
The Indian daiety positoned midway along the laburnum tunnel is currently surrounded by gigantic purple Alliums.