AFTER MONTHS of long, dark and cold days, the glisten of golden daffodils heralds the imminent arrival of spring and offers a sign of warmer, brighter days on the horizon. National Trust Cymru has already spotted daffodils appearing in the woodlands, gardens, and parklands it cares for across Wales where show stopping displays are preparing to bloom – just in time for Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant or ‘St David’s Day’.
Blooming mainly throughout March and April, the daffodil is synonymous with Wales and most associated with the celebration of St David’s Day on March 1, a special day in the Welsh calendar honouring the patron saint, St David or Dewi Sant.
There are many stories about how the daffodil became one of Wales’s most famous National emblems, but it’s believed to have all started with the humble leek. During battle, St David, patron saint of Wales, advised his warriors to wear a leek so they could be distinguished from their enemies, the Saxons.
Today, both emblems are worn on March 1, and the connection between them may lie in the Welsh language as leek is ‘cenhinen’, while daffodil is ‘cenhinen Pedr’ or ‘cennin Pedr’. Here are National Trust Cymru’s best spots to enjoy daffodil displays this spring.
NORTH WALES
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Nothing signals the start of spring quite like the daffodil, and at Bodnant Garden, hundreds of thousands of daffodil bulbs have been planted by generations of gardeners since the 1920s and 1930s. The best displays can be found in March and April when the Old Park meadow and grassy Glades are transformed into a golden carpet of yellow as far as the eye can see.
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
The vast grounds of the early 19th century Penrhyn Castle get a new lease of life in the springtime as daffodils begin to bloom. The largest display can be seen along the wooded areas and to the front and side of the castle in front of the Keep. There are 30 varieties to enjoy, flowering in their hundreds between March and April. It’s well worth a return visit to see all the different types taking their moment to shine throughout the season.
Plas Newydd, Ynys Mon (Anglesey)
The arboretum at Plas Newydd on the banks of the Menai Strait is awash with the golden glow of daffodils, a breath-taking celebration of spring’s arrival. This vibrant display, the result of the garden team’s care and skill in planting 5,000 bulbs last winter, is a joy to behold. The daffodils are expected to be at their best by around mid-March.
Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham
Enjoy a spring stroll through the award-winning garden to experience one of Chirk Castle’s seasonal highlights. Glimpses of daffodils can be seen scattered between clipped yews, herbaceous borders, shrub, and rock gardens. One of the best displays is the daffodil lawn itself, a dazzling blaze of golden yellow, or head along Lime Tree Avenue near the Hercules statue from where you’ll also get a fantastic view of the medieval castle itself.
This year, newly planted British native daffodils, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, will bring a cheerful splash of yellow to the landscape in the kitchen garden and near the Ticket Office.
Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham
Follow the pathways throughout the walled garden to discover pockets of different varieties of daffodils blooming in the lengthy borders and on the lawn. Wander past the structured pleached limes and historic apple trees to the lower end of the garden to discover the best displays cheerfully reflecting in the calm water along the banks of the canal.
MID WALES
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
Powis Castle is offering free entry to anyone visiting in Welsh costume or in Wales themed attire on St David’s Day. From 12-3pm on March 1 enjoy stories celebrating Wales and written by Welsh authors in the library. Alternatively, follow the spotter trail to see how many daffodils you can find hidden inside the castle before heading outside to discover crowds of daffodils blooming vividly across the lawn and in the aptly named Daffodil Paddock.
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
Take a stroll from the elegant Georgian villa and enjoy displays of daffodils around the croquet lawn and sheltering in the walled garden. Daffodils come into bloom from early February onwards and are at their best in mid-March. The garden team have recently planted an additional 11,000 spring bulbs including 4,000 snakeshead fritillaries, alliums, camassia and tulips. Look out for new daffodil varieties including February Gold and Rijnveld’s Early Sensation together with old favourites St Kerverne and Stainless.
SOUTH WALES
Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
Expect to see eager daffodils pop up early in the season in this hidden woodland garden. By mid-March a jaw-dropping display of tens of thousands of daffodils appears in large drifts throughout the meadow and meadow bank. There are over 50 varieties of daffodils here, but there’s one deserves a special mention is ‘Narcissus Dyffryn’ or the Dyffryn daffodil – their own internationally recognised breed.
Tredegar House, Newport
Head through the gates into the Cedar and Orchard Gardens to see swathes of beautiful yellow, cream, and orange daffodils. Varieties include Sir Winston Churchill, Silver Chimes, Sail Boat, and the uniquely charming Julia Jane, known for its small size and oversized trumpets. These daffodils are interspersed with Forget Me Nots (Myosotis), adding a delicate touch to the vibrant display at this late 17th-century house.
