Wakehurst Place in spring

Seasons and flowering times, especially in spring, can vary by up to three weeks so the periods below are only approximate.

In early spring, the dogwoods and willows in the Winter Garden still look splendid, especially set off by snowdrops all around. A little later, daffodils and crocuses make their entrances, closely followed by primroses and lady's smock among the birches in Bethlehem Wood.

April is a good time to see magnolias and Wakehurst's very own pieris, Pieris formosa var. forrestii 'Wakehurst', which is perhaps the most flamboyantly-leaved of all. The rhododendrons, for which the estate is rightly famous, are showing well.

Spring bedding is blooming in the Pleasaunce walled garden and by the Mansion Pond and in May, the bluebells are up in Horsebridge Wood; with early wild flowers in Westwood Valley.

Featured plants include the dramatic Chilean fire bush and the the spectacular show of Australia's waratah with its big head of bright red flowers carried right at the end of the shoots.