National Trust Cymru cares for some the finest gardens in Wales, and as winter winds down, daffodils are taking centre stage – just in time for St David’s Day.
Not only is the daffodil a proud national symbol for Wales, most associated with the celebration of St David’s Day on 1 March, but it also signals that springtime has arrived.
Swathes of daffodils are popping up in gardens cared for by National Trust Cymru across Wales, including at the world-class Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool, and the historic Bodnant Garden in Conwy. National Trust Cymru predict the displays will be at their best around mid-March.
Here are National Trust Cymru’s top gardens to enjoy daffodil displays at for St David’s Day and into the spring:
North Wales
Home to National Collections and Champion Trees, it’s not hard to see why Bodnant is a world-famous garden. Hundreds of thousands of daffodil bulbs have been planted by generations of gardeners at Bodnant since the 1920s. The main show at Bodnant Garden can be seen in mid-March and April in the Old Park where swathes of golden daffodils fill the meadow and Glades.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden
Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham
Discover pretty displays of daffodils in this Grade1-listed and fully restored 18th century garden. Follow the garden path towards the formal borders or wander off among the apple trees and conical topiary to enjoy the unique fragrance of the late-flowering pheasant’s eye variety, ‘Narcissus poeticus’.
Don’t miss the dazzling blaze of yellow, along the banks of the canal in the garden and the nodding flowers dancing in the water’s reflections.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig
Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham
Daffodils are one of the many annual floral highlights of Chirk Castle’s award-wining garden. Glimpses of them can be seen throughout the garden now, scattered between clipped yews, herbaceous borders, shrub, and rock gardens.
The best displays can be seen in late March when swathes of golden daffodils in bright yellow hues flood the banks outside the Kitchen Garden and parkland surrounding the castle.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
The show-stopper display is at its best from around mid-March until late April, and a return visit is recommended to see the different varieties flowering at various times in the season.
The largest display of daffodils can be seen along the wooded areas and to the front and side of the castle in front of the Keep. The front of the castle and gardens face Eryri (Snowdonia) and have far reaching views of Carnedd Llewelyn peak on a clear day.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penrhyn-castle-and-garden
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
Hot on the heels of the snowdrops, the daffodils are expected to put on a dazzling display in the enchanting garden, arboretum, and parkland at Plas Newydd.
Overlooking the Menai Strait, you’ll find clusters of yellow daffodils dancing in the spring sunshine and dotted throughout the garden, giving the formal lawn and herbaceous borders a burst of colour. The daffodils are expected to be at their best by around mid-March.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-newydd-house-and-garden
Mid Wales
Thousands of wild daffodils have started to peep through in the woodland along the banks of the Aeron River and will gradually grow into glorious yellow carpets.
You will also be treated to bright yellow daffodil displays in the Dutch garden and sheltering inside the must-see Walled Garden later in the season around mid-March to April.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/llanerchaeron
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
Narcissus Pseudonarcissus, the famous Welsh daffodil, thrive in their thousands in the world-famous garden at Powis Castle.
In March, naturalized daffodils bloom across the lawn and flood the aptly named Daffodil Paddock with vivid yellow. They also pave the way in the Wilderness woodland and are dotted around the Edwardian formal garden.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden
South Wales
There are over 50 varieties of daffodils growing at Dyffryn Gardens, but there’s one in particular that deserves a special mention: ‘Narcissus Dyffryn’ or the Dyffryn daffodil – the Grade 1-listed garden’s own internationally recognised variety of daffodil.
Expect to see eager little daffodils pop up in the meadow and arboretum now, then by mid-March a jaw dropping display of tens of thousands of daffodils appear in large drifts throughout the meadow bank.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens
Head through the gates into the Cedar and Orchard Gardens to see swathes of sunny daffodils under the blossom trees.
A favourite highlight during spring are the golden daffodils that bloom along Oak Avenue and around the 250-year-old Sweet Chestnut tree in the parkland from early March.
Plan a visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house
