What to look out for  in the garden on your visit:

By Gilbury Bridge the group of Rhododendron ‘Naomi’ are beginning to look good and soon the whole area will be ablaze with colour. Take time to admire the two wonderful specimens of Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ .

From Home Wood  main path to  Top Pond look out for Rhododendron ‘Queen of Hearts’ and the very scented Rh. ‘Loderi King George’ with large pink flowers. A small grove of  Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Alexandrina’ is in full flower.

By the Wiggly tree there is a very good specimen of Rhododendron quinquifolium ‘Five Arrows’ with white flowers spotted green.

By the Top Pond there are  very good views up the ravine towards Mrs Lionel’s seat with Pieris and the foliage of the Japanese maples providing great interest.

The New Camellia Walk is looking good with several  varieties of Camellia and Magnolias, especially Magnolia ‘Milky Way’ & M. Star Wars’

In Witcher’s Wood look out for the spectacular Rh ‘Avalanche’ with cascading white scented flowers.

The Herbaceous Border is waking up after the winter with lots of interesting Tulips, Peonies and the Chinese Paperbark maple (Acer griseum).

The walk along the gravel path by the Picnic Area with Magnolias and interesting shrubs including Photinia and Exochorda has much of interest.

Lots of native wildflowers are looking good with Violets, Primroses and Lungwort’s flowering through out the gardens. The bluebells are also beginning to appear.

Don’t miss the Five Arrows Galley Exhibition of Botanical Art by the Fours Seasons Group from Mon 18 April

John Anderson,  Head Gardener.