AHEAD of Blossom Week (20-28 April), National Trust Cymru reveal the best gardens to see and celebrate the seasonal spectacle of nature’s confetti.
The much-anticipated blossom season is now in full swing with hundreds of fruit trees, azaleas and rhododendrons all bursting into bloom in orchards, gardens and borders across Wales.
Each year, the conservation charity’s #BlossomWatch campaign encourages people to get outside and experience the simple joy of spring blossom. As in previous years, the charity is encouraging people to share snapshots of their blossom discoveries on social media, using the hashtags #BlossomWatch #GwleddyGwanwyn.
Head to the Trust’s website to plan a visit to a flower filled spring garden: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wales
North Wales
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
As spring gets underway the world-famous garden erupts into bloom with colourful planting and dazzling displays making April a wonderful time to visit. Catch transient ornamental cherry blossom in the Glades and azaleas and viburnum in the Range borders, Terraces and Rockery. Throughout the garden Bodnant’s National Collection of rhododendrons start to take centre stage, lighting up almost every area. Blossom Week highlight: The Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Firebush) with its flame-coloured flowers is a seasonal showstopper.
Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham
Meander along the garden’s pathways throughout the 5.5 acre garden and spot vibrant rhododendrons in hazes of pinks, purples and reds. In the shrub garden look out for the azaleas and plenty of seasonal colour in the curved Long Border, whilst cheery camellias add a pop of colour in the spring sunshine. Blossom Week highlight: The rare handkerchief tree, Davidia Involucrate, is due to flower any day now.
Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham
Spring is the time to admire Erddig’s 18th-century Grade I listed walled garden with Dutch influence complete with extensive lawns, avenues of pleached limes and conical topiary. Fruit trees grow in abundance here, many skilfully trained and espaliered along the garden walls, creating a web of delicate blossom. Towards the end of April expect more than 180 varieties of apple to blossom, accompanied by striking Poets Narcissus, the poet’s daffodil. Blossom Week highlight: Rambling roses, Rosa banksiae lutea (yellow) and Rosa banksiae (white) climb the walls near the restaurant and are expected to be in peak blossom for Blossom Week.
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
Set alongside the Menai Strait, the mild conditions in the Grade 1 listed garden allow a wide range of plants to flourish. The Rhododendron Garden is at its peak in April and May, with a mass of flowers borne on shrubs large and small, in what is one of the most tranquil areas of the garden. The West Indies is also awash with azaleas in a heady mix of oranges, pinks and reds. Blossom Week highlight: Rhododendrons are to be found in abundance, offering a blaze of colour for weeks to come.
Plas yn Rhiw, Llŷn Peninsula
Enjoy the changing season in this ornamental garden with coastal views of Cardigan Bay. Magnificent magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, and all manner of herbaceous gems are framed by box hedges and grass paths. In late April and May the orchard bursts into blossom, with over 130 fruit trees flowering together. Blossom Week highlight: Listen out for the season’s first cuckoos in the orchard, some have been spotted at Plas yn Rhiw in the past few years. (Note the house remains closed for conservation works.)
MID WALES
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
Step into the productive Walled Garden in April to find the heritage orchard full of frothy white and pink blossom. Over sixty varieties of apple tree line the lawns and climb the walls, each with their own unique shape, creating quite the feast for hungry pollinators. Row upon row of cut flower beds transition from daffodils to tulips in the West Walled Garden, with jazzy parrot and elegant Peppermint Stick varieties creating an enviable display. Blossom Week highlight: The much-awaited flowering of the largest and oldest tree in the orchard, the Pitmaston Duchess, begins. At around 150 years old, the majestic pear tree still produces golden-yellow russeted fruits in autumn.
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
Stretching out beneath the medieval castle is one of the finest gardens in Britain, particularly if enjoyed on a sun-filled spring day. In the paddock catch the last of the seasons Welsh daffodils and take a walk in the Wilderness, the wooded ridge opposite the Castle, to wander past striking rhododendrons and exotic trees. Blossom Week highlight: In the Edwardian Formal Garden, just in time for Blossom Week, apple trees planted hundreds of years ago by the Countess of Powis, Lady Violet, pop with vibrant pink blossom. Violet’s garden with a croquet lawn, flowering borders and meticulously trimmed fruit trees, is still one of the garden’s highlights today.
SOUTH WALES
Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
A garden with an industrial past and set in a tranquil secret valley, Colby Woodland Garden is full of colour all year round. Step into the walled garden for an orchard of cherry, apple and plum blossom and vibrant tree peonies. The meadow with its tranquil stream and stepping stones is scattered with crab apple, horse chestnut and lilac trees in bloom. Blossom Week highlight: In spring swathes of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, the garden’s speciality, fill the West Woods.
Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
With spring firmly in the air, pear, apple and apricot blossom coat the fruit trees in the Kitchen Gardens at Dyffryn. Get your blossom fix from late flowering magnolia and ornamental cherry blossom dotted throughout the Edwardian Garden in restoration and for beds full of budding spring bulbs head to the South Lawn. Spring is truly a sight to behold at Dyffryn Gardens. Blossom Week highlight: Make your way to the Arboretum to see the opening buds on the blossom trees and spring flowers scattered throughout.
Tredegar House, Newport
For the best blossom wander through The Orchard Garden; one of three formal gardens surrounding the magnificent red-brick house at Tredegar. Cared for in partnership with Growing Space, a registered mental health charity based in Newport, an orchard full of blossoming apple trees and hidden pathways awaits. Blossom Week highlight: The last of this year’s cherry tree blossom is a blossom week must see.
