By Thea Hegland

You don’t have to venture too far in the garden to be impressed; first, you will be enchanted by the spectacular yellow Laburnum anagyroides (Golden chain tree) that dangles like jewels along the trellis from the parking area. Nearby, the Fraxinus ornus (Flowering ash) with creamy white flowers and alluring fragrance provides a nice cool spot to relax by the lake either before or after the garden walk.

Laburnum anagyroides (Golden chain tree)

The extraordinary collection of Rhododendron shrubs is at their peak bloom time in many shades of the colour spectrum. Also noteworthy is the ‘Irene Koster’ Azaleas that fill the garden area with the sweetest perfume. Planted in mass along the exit path of the Japanese Garden, these soft pastel beauties are essential to any spring garden.

Collection of Rhododendron shrubs

This week, perhaps the best is saved for last. Lining the exit road on either side of the drive is the absolutely magical Crataegus (English Hawthorn) with blazing reddish- pink blossoms. A perfect end to a great day spent in the garden!

Plants that are currently blooming

• Aesculus (Horse chesnut)
• Allium
• Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’
• Aquilegia (Columbine)
• Begonia
• Centaurea montana
• Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud)
• Convallaria (Lily-of-the-valley)
• Cornus florida
• Cornus kousa (Korean dogwood)
• Crataegus (Hawthorn)
• Davidia involucrata (Dove tree)
• Delphinium
• Deutzia
• Dicentra (Bleeding heart)
• Digitalis (Foxglove)
• Disporum (Fairy bells)
• Doronicum (Leopard’s bane)
• Epimedium (Barren wort)
• Eremurus (Foxtail lily)
• Fuchsia
• Fraxinus ornus (Flowering ash)
• Gentiana (Gentain)
• Geum
• Globularia (Globe daisy)
• Halesia (Snowdrop tree)
• Hemerocallis (Daylily)
• Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea)
• Illicium
• Iris
• Laburnum (Golden chain tree)
• Lantana
• Matthiola (Stock)
• Meconopsis (Blue poppy)
• Nectaroscordum
• Pachystachys lutea (Lollipop plant)
• Paeonia (Peony)
• Paeonia lutea (Tree peony)
• Pelargonium (Geranium)
• Pericallis (Painted daisy)
• Petasites
• Polemonium (Jacob’s ladder)
• Podophyllum (Mayapple)
• Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy orange)
• Primula (Primrose)
• Prostanthera rotundifolia (Mint bush)
• Rheum
• Rhododendron
• Rosa (Rose)
• Schizanthus (Butterfly flower)
• Skimmia japonica
• Spiraea (Spirea)
• Smilacina (False Solomon’s seal)
• Syringa (Lilac)
• Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
• Viola
• Weigela
• Wisteria