Travel Bloom BUST OR
SPRING has arrived and the gardens cared for by National Trust Cymru across Wales are bursting into bloom. Here are the best places to embrace the beauty of blossom, catch dazzling displays of rhododendrons and azaleas and delight at tulips in April and May.
NORTH WALES Bodnant Garden Conwy
As spring gets underway this world-famous garden erupts into life. Bodnant’s recognized collection of rhododendrons peak in spring; the Puddle Garden is the place to head for. Enjoy the transient ornamental cherry blossoms and wait for the glorious sight of the wisteria and clematis on the Terraces in May. Spring highlight: Be amazed by the azalea displays in the East Garden.
Erddig Hall & Garden Wrexham
Spring is the time to admire Erddig’s 18th-century Grade I listed walled garden with its Dutch influence. The blossom season arrives with the delicate flowers of cherry, plum, pear and over 180 varieties of apple trees.
Spring highlight: Skilfully trained espalier fruit trees cover the historic garden walls in tiny flowers.
Chirk Castle & Garden Wrexham
Meander along the garden’s pathways in spring and spot vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas in the Shrub Garden and plenty of seasonal colour in the curved Long Border.
The rare handkerchief tree, Davidia involucrate, begins to flower and watch for the wisteria in the courtyard mid-May.
Spring highlight: Rhododendrons in hazes of pinks, purples and reds.
Penrhyn Castle & Garden Bangor
Enjoy the cherry blossom at Penrhyn as the beautiful Sakura Circle, at the Grand Lodge, announces the arrival of spring. In the formal gardens, rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas thrive, and the giant leaved gunnera plants expand up in
Bog Garden.
Spring highlight: Tulips bloom on the Top Terrace and in the boxed borders of the Walled Garden.
Plas Newydd House & Garden Anglesey
As spring leaps forward at Plas Newydd, the Grade 1 listed garden erupts into a colourful new season. Set alongside the Menai Strait, the mild conditions allow for spring flowering magnolias, cherry blossom, camellias and a heady mix of orange, pink and red azaleas. Spring highlight: The secluded Rhododendron Garden peaks in April and May.
Plas yn Rhiw Llŷn Peninsula
Enjoy the changing season in this ornamental garden with coastal views. Magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, and all manner of herbaceous gems are framed by box hedges and grass paths.
Spring highlight: In late April and May the fruit orchard bursts into blossom. (Note the house remains closed for conservation works.)
MID WALES
Powis Castle & Garden Welshpool
Stretching out beneath the mediethe
SHARE YOUR BEST BLOSSOM SNAPS val castle is one of the finest gardens in Britain. On the Orangery Terrace find tulips basking in the spring sunshine and head to the wooded ridge opposite the castle to find flowering rhododendrons. Later in May marvel at the wisteria as it tumbles down the Aviary. Spring highlight: In the Edwardian Formal Garden, ancient apple trees pop with vibrant pink blossom.
Llanerchaeron Ceredigion
Built in the late 18th-century, the Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron has been producing fruit and vegetables for over 200 years. Find over 60 varieties of apple trees that line the lawns and climb the walls, and enjoy rows, upon rows, of flower filled beds.
Spring highlight: Purchase veg or plants and help care for the garden and continue its restoration.
SOUTH WALES Dyffryn Gardens Cardiff
With spring firmly in the air, pear, apple and apricot blossom coat the fruit trees in the Kitchen Gardens and find frothy pink cherry blossom throughout this Edwardian Garden in restoration.
For tulip displays, head to the South Lawn and come May, in the Pompeiian Garden, wisteria cascades down the garden’s columns.
Spring highlight: Pick up a Blossom Watch Walk (self-led) leaflet to help you discover what’s best in bloom.
Tredegar House Newport
Three formal gardens surround the magnificent red-brick house at Tredegar: The Orchard Garden is home to a variety of blossoming fruit trees and the Cedar Garden has herbaceous borders and a 250-year-old Cedar of Lebanon tree. Spring highlight: Hidden pathways through the flower filled orchard.