March 2026 Garden Report
March 9, 2026
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Gardening

March 2026 Garden Report

By Thea Hegland

It is time to come out of a winter slumber and visit for a much-needed walk amongst the flowers. Mild temperatures and sunny days have filled The Gardens with a bounty of early spring blooms. Timeless classics such as Narcissus brighten the garden beds, and pretty Primula and Viola adorn the many containers. Many Rhododendron, Camellia, Daphne, and other early-flowering spring shrubs bloom throughout the grounds with exquisite blossoms and fill the air with sweet fragrance. Gorgeous pink petals of Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii’ blow softly through the air, creating a whimsical ambience. Spring. This is what it is all about.

A cluster of bright yellow daffodils (Narcissus spp.) with trumpet-shaped flowers, set against a dark background. The flowers have six petal-like tepals and a central corona, with some blooms fully open and others in various stages of bloom. Green stems support the flowers, creating a vibrant contrast with the surrounding darkness

While everyone is locked in the spring fever trance, gardeners have to stay focused. March signals the start of one of the busiest times of the year for our Gardening Staff. Flower beds are cleaned up after winter, perennials are divided, trees and shrubs need pruning and deadwooding. Greenhouse Technicians are busy propagating plants for the upcoming seasons. Summer annual seedlings are ready to be “pricked out,” and the cuttings taken in January have been rooted and are now ready to make the journey from sand to soil as they get potted up.

The spring display showcases approximately 180,000 biennial plants and 300,000 bulbs; to be more specific, there are 88 varieties /80,000 of Narcissus (Daffodil) bulbs, 185 varieties /160,000 of Tulipa (Tulip) bulbs, as well as 60,000 assorted bulbs of Hyacinthus (Hyacinth), Crocus, Scilla and Muscari (Grape hyacinth). Among the wide range of unique and interesting Narcissus (Daffodil) and Tulipa (Tulip) in the collection, each year brings new combinations and varieties that we are excited to see.

A vibrant garden scene featuring a variety of blooming flowers, including clusters of tulips (genus Tulipa) in shades of pink and purple, and daffodils (genus Narcissus) with white and yellow petals. The garden is bordered by lush greenery and trees, with a clear blue sky in the background

The Gardens offer so much to see, but my personal favourite is the stunning mass planting of Anemone blanda (Windflower) along the walk exiting The Sunken Garden, with delicate cerulean blue daisy–like flowers. So simple and elegant, you will be dreaming of blue daisies.

A vibrant display of blue flowers, likely belonging to the genus *Anemone*, is in the foreground, surrounded by green foliage. In the background, a pink flowering tree, possibly a cherry blossom, stands against a lush green lawn
Plants, trees, and shrubs that are currently blooming
  • Acer palmatum dissectum (Japanese maple)
  • Anemone blanda (Windflower)
  • Aucuba japonica (Spotted laurel)
  • Bellis (English daisy)
  • Bergenia (Elephant’s ears)
  • Camellia
  • Chionodoxa (Glory of the snow)
  • Cornus mas
  • Correa (Australian fuchsia)
  • Cotoneaster
  • Cyclamen
  • Daphne odora
  • Eranthis (Winter aconite)
  • Erica (Heather)
  • Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)
  • Galanthus (Snowdrop)
  • Garrya elliptica (Silk- tassel bush)
  • Hamamelis (Witch hazel)
  • Helleborus (Christmas rose)
  • Jasminium nudiflorum (Winter jasmine)
  • Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ (Oregon grape)
  • Nandina domestica (Heavenly bamboo)
  • Narcissus (Daffodil)
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus (Black mondo grass)
  • Pansy
  • Pieris (Lily -of – the valley shrub)
  • Polyanthus (Primula)
  • Pyracantha
  • Rhododendron
  • Sarcococca (Christmas box)
  • Skimmia japonica
  • Viburnum x bodnantense
  • Viburnum tinus
  • Viola
Spring Prelude plants, trees, and shrubs that are currently blooming
  • Albuca spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’
  • Amaryllis
  • Anthurium (Flamingo flower)
  • Azalea
  • Bromeliad
  • Camellia
  • Cercis
  • Convallaria (Lily-of-the-valley)
  • Crocus
  • Cyclamen
  • Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
  • Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper bush)
  • Hamamelis (Witch hazel)
  • Helleborus (Christmas rose)
  • Iris reticulata
  • Kalanchoe
  • Loropetalum chinese ‘Razzleberri’
  • Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer magnolia)
  • Narcissus (Daffodil)
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus (Black mondo grass)
  • Orchid
  • Pieris (Lily -of – the valley shrub)
  • Pinus
  • Polyanthus (Primula)
  • Prunus (Flowering plum)
  • Ribes (Flowering currant)
  • Sarcococca (Christmas box)
  • Skimmia japonica
  • Tulipa (Tulip)
  • Viburnum tinus
  • Viola

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