This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green,
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes,
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes.
D. H. Lawrence (1885-1930)
After another wet, stormy winter the days have lengthened substantially and plants are responding to increasing light levels. The camellias have reacted by flowering exceptionally early with only one or two reserving their displays for March. Spring lies ahead with multiple floral displays at every level from demure wood anemones to towering magnolias and a multitude of shrubs between.
The magnolias in my own garden start to delight from autumn when the furry buds become obvious and allow me to anticipate the floral displays ahead. The silvery appearance of the buds is caused by a covering of silky hairs on the bud scales which protect the flowers over winter. This is obviously effective since magnolias were amongst the earliest flowering plants to evolve and have existed for 200 million years. They are relatively easy to cultivate requiring only a fertile acid or neutral soil, a sheltered location and occasional feed of ericaceous plant food to encourage flowering.
Many of the most spectacular tree magnolias can grow to an enormous size in gardens which have the space and conditions to allow it. A visit to Cornwall in mid-March will be necessary to see these in their magnificent glory. However there are a large number of species which can flourish in smaller gardens and give a display to rival in flower power, if not size.
Magnolia stellata is a slow growing rather dense shrub, which sometimes develops into a small tree and is suitable for many smaller gardens. I grow several selections and ‘Water Lily’ is a particular favourite with pure white flowers in their typical starlike shape. It can stay in flower for up to a month commencing in March, and already 6 feet high and wide, produces several hundred flowers. As a change I have recently planted ‘Jane Platt’ (featured image) which is proving vigorous and although barely 4 foot high, has produced a few of its rich pink flowers. It promises to be an outstanding plant as it advances to maturity.
Magnolia ‘Pegasus’ is a selection of the species and forms a slow growing small tree, 30 foot high after many years. It is distinguished by its pure white flowers which sit upright on stems like candles on a Christmas Tree. It is a charming and beautiful sight in full flower and will enhance any garden.
Although in my garden it does not produce the bright colour promised by its name Magnolia denudata Yellow River (‘Fei Huang’) is worth growing for its sheer flower power and length of flowering. It produces light creamy yellow flowers with a citrus fragrance on a vase shaped small tree in late April and can continue in flower for a number of weeks.
Now is the time to see Spring Gardens open for the National Garden Scheme at their best.
Moelfryn
Moelfryn near Gorslas in Carmarthenshire is a 1/3 acre garden set on a very wet Welsh hillside, surrounded by farmland. No longer the bare hillside of its Welsh name Elaine and Graeme Halls set out 6 years ago to transform it into an inspiring, tranquil, eco-friendly garden and to be as self-sufficient as possible. Their first job after cutting back weeds to access the house was to chop down the tall front laurel hedge to reclaim the views across the Amman Valley towards the Bettws mountains and North Devon coast. The front garden is now planted around a labyrinth with herbs including 50 varieties of mint, strawberries, rhubarb and asparagus surrounded by a four-season cottage garden. Terraced at the rear, vegetable beds and a polytunnel were added and a small orchard planted. An old hot tub gazebo was converted to a chicken house! In the main garden shrubs are interspersed with perennials to create a tapestry for year round interest. With a record 46 open days and By Arrangement visits there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and share Elaine and Graeme’s hen keeping and smallholding advice.
The Hidden Garden
In Llandysul, Ceredigion is The Hidden Garden, a large serene evolving woodland garden. Originally planted in the 90’s the garden had become wild and overgrown. Five years ago it was deceided to clear the scrub and add planting to compliment the existing natural trees and shrubs to create year round interest. Now in Spring drifts of snowdrops, rare celandines and hellebores are followed by daffodils and narcissus, azaleas and early flowering shrubs. Numerous paths lead to features including a small lake with resident ducks, the “Hobbit House” and adjacent stumpery. Some areas have been left semi wild so as not to over manicure this beautiful setting. With the large Farmyard nursery adjoining you can also view the stock beds of many plants.
Vaynor Park
Vaynor Park near Welshpool in Powys is a spectacular 5 acre garden set in parkland with medieval oaks. This year the owners William and Kate Corbett-Winder are hosting a special one-day limited ticketed event. After an introductory talk in the courtyard, followed by a guided tour accompanied by Kate and her gardener Rupert Redway you will enjoy tea in the stables.
Originally laid out in the 1850’s the long terrace is now planted with over 3,000 tulips which float above rectangles of grass running the length of the garden making a spectacular display in April and early May. Geums, anemones, erysimums, alliums, lunaria, and hesperis start to fill the adjacent herbaceous borders. In the woodland Spring brings magnolias, rhododendrons, trilliums, erythroniums and of course bluebells. A special treat!
The National Garden Scheme includes a wide variety of gardens to suit every taste. The 2025 NGS Garden Visitor’s Handbook is now available for all gardens in Wales and England.
You can also find free NGS County booklets of our gardens open for charity at garden and community centres.
NGS Open Gardens
Welsh Country has two NGS open garden sections. The first ‘Open Gardens’ are gardens that are open on specific days and the ‘Long Term Open Gardens’ which are by appointment only. There is a search facility on each page so simply search for a garden name or an area of Wales (i.e. Swansea) you’d like to visit.
Words: Rob Dyer
Pictures: National Garden Scheme & Annette Dyer
National Garden Scheme: Frances Bowyer
