SECRET gardens
AS the days lengthen and the warmer weather arrives, discover the delights of some truly spectacular gardens.
Wander alongside bonny borders and spectacular curtains of colour and step inside walled kitchen gardens and conservatories to see what’s growing.
Take in the sights and scents of late spring across the North West and the Lake District.
Here are some of the best gardens to explore...
QUARRY BANK Wilmslow, Chesire
Surrounding a once bustling 18th century cotton mill, the garden at Quarry Bank is full of colour and scent at this time of year, from rhododendrons and fruit tree blossom to a carpet of bluebells in the woods.
Irises and peonies put on a show-stopping display in the borders, while in the Lower Garden, yellow, red, pink and white Candelabra primulas are out. A thousand donated camassia bulbs, planted last year, will be in flower in May and June. Fruit and veg in the walled kitchen garden will provide inspiration for what to grow at home.
DUNHAM MASSEY Greater Manchester
A green oasis on the outskirts of Manchester, the garden at Dunham Massey is a breath of fresh air in late spring. Spring flowering shrubs such as deutzia, rhododendron and viburnum are in bloom, as well as peonies and irises.
Unusual blue poppies, reintroduced to the garden over the last few years, are in flower. Rows of vibrant tulips create a colourful walkway along the canal. Look out for kingfishers darting between the canal and the garden. A carpet of bluebells makes a great photo.
In the deer park, 300 new fruit trees will blossom for the first time.
LYME Stockport, Cheshire
You might notice the flowers bloom a little later at Lyme, where the colourful gardens are set among a rugged moorland landscape.
In May, the Rhododendron Walk explodes with colour, and Lime Avenue is buzzing with bees collecting nectar from lime trees. As the days get warmer, look out for damselflies and dragonflies darting across the ponds and lakes, and head to Turfhouse Meadow to spot insects enjoying colourful wildflowers. After flooding in 2019, the garden team have been hard at work to restore historic planting schemes. In the Italian Garden, newly planted perennials will be in full bloom.
SPEKE HALL Liverpool
There’s lots to see in the gardens of this rare Tudor manor house. Late spring highlights include alliums and the aptly named ‘Handkerchief Tree’ – on a breezy day its white flowers hang and blow in the wind just like pinched handkerchiefs. From late May, rhododendrons and azaleas in every colour surround the huge North Lawn.
On the South Lawn, fragrant roses are starting to bloom, while in the Secret Garden – hidden away through a tunnel
– you’ll find a rare Wollemi pine or ‘dinosaur tree’. This is a good time to see wildflowers too.
RUFFORD OLD HALL Ormskirk, Lancashire
In late spring, the walled garden comes to life with a magnificent wisteria running the entire length of the wall. As May’s purple and white blossoms fade, the pastel-coloured roses take over, filling the air with their sweet scent. The woodland area is also one of the best places in Lancashire to see bluebells, and two topiary squirrels are a fun stopping off point.
SIZERGH near Kendal
The interlinked gardens at Sizergh tell the story of this family home, which has developed over 800 years. Home to the National Collection of ferns, in late spring the rock garden is a carpet of soft, bright green leaves.
Blossom fills the orchard, while the strongly scented pink flowers on the daphne shrub greet you on the spring walk.
In June, the horse chestnut tree is in blossom beside the colourful 50 metre-long Herbaceous Border. In early summer cephalaria, verbascum and geraniums provide pops of colour here. Fresh produce from the small but perfectly formed organic Kitchen Garden is used in the cafe all year round.
HILL TOP near Hawkshead, Cumbria
The modest cottage garden at Hill Top belonged to Beatrix Potter, the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Spot the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck tried to hide her eggs and the view up the slate-flagged garden path, captured in The Tale of Tom Kitten. A highlight in spring is the wisteria which covers the front of this famous home.
ACORN BANK
near Penrith, Cumbria
People have lived and worked here for more than 800 years. Today the walled garden shelters the largest collection of medicinal herbs in the care of the National Trust.
The orchards burst with blossom in late spring. There’s 175 varieties of apple tree, and a huge pear tree donated by cider makers Babysham. The Herbaceous Border is looking its brightest and most brilliant in June and July, with purple bell flowers, red valerian and pink opium poppies creating a riot of colour. There are 50 species of bee to be found here.
■ Plan your visit at www. nationaltrust.org.uk/north-west and www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ lake-district