Fifteen of the Best Spring Gardens

by Veronica Peerless (April 2012)

There are hints of spring for ages – a snowdrop here, a crocus there... And then - whoosh! - It all finally happens. Seemingly overnight, trees are dripping in blossom, gardens are awash with daffodils and tulips, and every shade of green unfolds. I’m always amazed by the sheer amount of colour at this time of year, so welcome after months of grey. There’s only one thing for it in spring, and that’s to get outside, visit a garden and soak it all up, because all too soon the show will be over for another year.

Antony

Torpoint

Over 7000 tulips in flower are undoubtedly the draw of Chenies in spring. Owner Elizabeth MacLeod and Bloms Bulbs come up with ever more dazzling colour combinations in different parts of the garden, under planted with spring bedding such as forget-me-nots and wallflowers. Don’t miss the arched walkway, where daffodils and hellebores are followed by purple and white alliums.

Bodnant Garden

Tal-y-Cafn, Colwyn Bay

At a Welsh garden you’d expect plenty of daffodils, and Bodnant doesn’t disappoint. Magnolias are the stars of the show in April, although the blaze of rhododendrons give them a run for their money. Fast forward to late May and you can enjoy the azaleas at their best, as well as the famous laburnum arch – 55m of stunning yellow flowers.

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

Summer Lane, Exbury, Southampton

A visitor once described Exbury as ‘heaven with the gates open’, and I’d wager they visited in spring. Swathes of yellow (primroses and daffodils) are swiftly followed by the lipstick shades of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. The gardens were created by plant collector Lionel Nathan de Rothschild, who created several new varieties of rhododendron and azalea.

East Ruston Old Vicarage

East Ruston, Norwich

If you’ve ever put a few bulbs in a pot and wondered why they don’t look that inspiring come spring, you need to take a leaf out of East Ruston’s book. They stuff their huge pots with hyacinths and tulips in every imaginable hue, and the flamboyant results are totally inspirational. There’s a charming auricula theatre, too.

Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden

School Road, South Walsham, Norwich

Water is instantly calming, and an air of tranquillity reigns at Fairhaven. The UK’s largest naturalised collection of candelabra primulas (at their best in the last two weeks of May), thrives in the damp soil – they look like candy coloured lollipops. You can also stroll in the dappled shade among bluebells, rhododendrons and wood anemones and admire the striking skunk cabbages.

Gresgarth Hall

Caton

This immaculately planted garden, home to garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd, is particularly delightful in spring. A walk over the Japanese bridge into the Woodland Garden is a must: flowering Prunus trees are underplanted with swathes of daffodils (the white narcissus, ‘Thalia’, is a favourite), while the Rhododendron Hills are home to many unusual blue and mauve varieties. Beyond is a stunning bluebell wood.

High Beeches Garden

High Beeches Lane, Handcross

High Beeches may be spectacular in autumn, but it’s at its prettiest in spring. There are myriad shades of green as the leaves of the many unusual trees unfurl; these are complemented by the beautiful blooms of magnolias, camellias and azaleas. Visit early in the spring to see the Daffodil Field of Hope, where bulbs have been planted in memory of loved ones.

Kew Gardens

Kew Road, Kew, Richmond

A whopping five million bulbs burst into flower every year at Kew. The show starts early with snowdrops and crocuses and continues with daffodils, snake’s head fritillaries, bluebells and camassias. And there’s blossom galore: the Cherry Walk between the Palm House and King William’s temple is stunning in April. You can watch the progression of the bulbs online via a spring bulbs map.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Pentewan, St Austell

No Cornish garden is complete without rhododendrons and Heligan is home to one of the most spectacular examples you’ll ever see. The rhodo on Flora’s Green is 150 years old and is the size of a house. Unfortunately it has been diagnosed with the deadly disease, Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death), so it’s days might be numbered. Enjoy it while you can.

Nymans

Handcross, Haywards Heath

Nymans’ acid soil means it’s the perfect home for the magnolias for which it is especially known; many hybrids, such as M. x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ were bred here. The magnolias aren’t the only attraction, though: there are also cherry and dogwood blossoms, camellias and rhododendrons, and carpets of narcissi and fritillaria. Wisteria scrambles over the ruined house.

Sheffield Park Garden

Uckfield

Sheffield Park is known for its fine collection of trees and shrubs, many of which give a dazzling display of colour in spring. Pink and white dogwoods vie with rhododendrons and azaleas of every hue, from electric blue to bronze; there’s also veritable sea of bluebells. The perfect place for your first picnic of the year.

Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Bedale

The grounds of Thorp Perrow are home to one of the most spectacular displays of daffodils you’re ever likely to see; it includes many old and unusual varieties. Thorp Perrow is an arboretum that’s home to trees from around the world, and many of them are smothered in blossom in spring. The carpets of bluebells is quite a sight, too.

Chenies Manor House

Chenies

Over 7000 tulips in flower are undoubtedly the draw of Chenies in spring. Owner Elizabeth MacLeod and Bloms Bulbs come up with ever more dazzling colour combinations in different parts of the garden, under planted with spring bedding such as forget-me-nots and wallflowers. Don’t miss the arched walkway, where daffodils and hellebores are followed by purple and white alliums.