By Thea Hegland

Welcome to 2020!

Here at The Gardens, we have been very busy. The Christmas display was quickly dismantled and no sooner the experience was transported to the next season – spring. Within a small window of time, our gardening team designed and quickly laid out an incredible feast of flowers as once again, the beloved Spring Prelude opened the doors to the indoor oasis while a beautiful snow fell silently on The Gardens.

The beloved Spring Prelude indoor garden

It was a magical few days as it wasn’t long before the rain came and the snow rapidly melted away leaving The Gardens lush, green and refreshing. Beautiful. Simple. Even a cool, gray winter day enshrouded in the mist offers a certain mystic and wonderment.

Out in The Gardens you can find hardy blossoms such as Erica (Heather), Camellia and Helleborus (Hellebore) with subtle pops of colour that liven up the winter days.

Erica (Heather) adding subtle pops of colour to the steps into the Sunken Garden

Escape indoors to spring to the Spring Prelude and discover evolving displays of flowering plants, including plenty of Narcissus (Daffodil) and Tulipa (Tulip) in bloom to keep us content until the real thing begins outdoors. Noteworthy is the mysterious Edgeworthia (Paperbush) with the luxurious scent which is capturing attention. Amongst the tropical display you will be impressed by the many Phalenopsis orchids in a wide range of colours and the Amaryllis with decadent trumpet shaped flowers. In Greek mythology the par excellence blooms of the Amaryllis are known for sheer determination; they are relentless, prevailing flowers that demand admiration.

Tulipa (Tulip) and Polyanthus (Primula) blooming inside the Spring Prelude

For now, it looks like rain will be in our forecast for the foreseeable future, but rest assured, there is beauty all around, rain or shine.

Outside: Plants that are currently blooming

• Acer palmatum dissectum (Japanese maple)
• Aucuba japonica (Spotted laurel)
• Bellis (English daisy)
• Bergenia (Elephant’s ears)
• Camellia
• Cornus mas
• Correa (Australian fuchsia)
• Cotoneaster
• Cyclamen
• Daphne odora
• Erica (Heather)
• Erysimum (Wallflower)
• Galanthus (Snowdrop)
• Garrya elliptica (Silk- tassel bush)
• Hamamelis (Witch hazel)
• Helleborus (Christmas rose)
• Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)
• 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

Inside: Plants that are currently blooming

• Amaryllis
• Anthurium (Flamingo flower)
• Azalea
• Bromeliad
• Camellia
• Crocus
• Cyclamen
• Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper bush)
• Erica (Heather)
• 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 strobus ‘Louie’
• Polyanthus (Primula)
• Prunus (Flowering plum)
• Sarcococca (Christmas box)
• Sciadopitys verticillate (Japanese umbrella pine)
• Skimmia japonica
• Stromanthe
• Tulipa (Tulip)
• Viburnum x bodnantense
• Viburnum tinus
• Viola