By Thea Hegland

In terms of garden displays, the weather plays a very significant role. Artistic planning and careful selection of plant material is one thing; the final results lie ultimately in the elements we cannot control. Winter lingered longer, spring slowly arrived, and the anticipation built as it began to appear that this year, we were heading straight for the perfect storm. The Gardens are now in a phenomenal stage with masses of spring bulbs and flowering trees blooming in perfect harmony.

Vivid colours of Tulips and Forget-me-nots in the Italian Garden

So often it seems, the majority of the Narcissus (Daffodil) and Hyacinthus (Hyacinth) are on their way out just as the Tulips arrive. The colder temperatures slowed everything down earlier this spring and now the warm weather has rewarded us with so many good things at once! The Gardens are so full of flowers right now it is hard to pick a favourite but I will try. Highlights include the forever gorgeous Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’ (Flowering cherry) with a profusion of rich pink double blossoms rivaled only by the other star of ornamental flowering Cherries, Prunus serrulata ‘Mt. Fuji’ adorned with pristine white fragrant blossoms. It is simply unbelievable how beautiful they are.

Flowering trees are prevalent throughout The Gardens

Capturing the attention of those who favour simple elegance are the Exochorda x marcrantha ‘The Bride’(Pearlbush) shrubs loaded with pearly white blossoms. Located by the Dragon Fountain area and also the Japanese Garden, these graceful shrubs with arching branches deserve honourable mention.

Whatever it may be that draws the first-time visitor to The Gardens, I have no doubt they will long to come back. As one season rolls into the next, the garden travels through time like a magical carousel ride.

Plants that are currently blooming

• Acacia
• Amelanchier (Juneberry)
• Anemone blanda (Grecian windflower)
• Arabis
• Aubrieta
• Azara
• Bellis (English daisy)
• Bergenia (Elephant’s ears)
• Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss)
• Caltha
• Camellia
• Cornus (Dogwood)
• Doronicum (Leopard’s bane)
• Erythronium (Trout lily)
• Exochorda (Pearlbush)
• Fritillaria imperialis (Crown imperial)
• Fritillaria michailovsky
• Kerria japonica
• Helleborus (Christmas rose)
• Hyacinthus (Hyacinth)
• Lysichiton (Skunk cabbage)
• Magnolia
• Malus (Crabapple)
• Muscari (Grape hyacinth)
• Myosotis (Forget-me-not)
• Narcissus (Daffodil)
• Pericallis (Painted daisy)
• Pieris
• Polyanthus (Primula)
• Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
• Pulsatilla vulgaris (Pasque flower)
• Primula marginata
• Prostanthera (Mint bush)
• Prunus (Flowering cherry)
• Rhododendron
• Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
• Schizanthus (Poor man’s orchid)
• Scilla (Squill)
• Trillium
• Tulipa (Tulip)
• Viburnum
• Viola
• Vinca