The English Garden April 2020

Conrad McCormick Conrad is a plantsman, garden designer and radio presenter living on the north coast of Ireland where he indulges his passion for rare and exotic plants. On page 30, he visits Glenveagh. Andrea Jones Andrea is an award-winning photographer who has travelled the globe on assignments for 25 years. With Irish roots, she seizes every opportunity to photograph gardens there; Glenveagh was a special treat. Stephen Anderton Stephen is a long-serving writer for The Times and has written a biography of Christopher Lloyd and a study of Stourhead among many other books. He admires the garden at Glebe House on page 20.…

The afternoons are lengthening, the difference in how long it stays light is now perceptible – to us, and to our plants. It won’t be long until it’s still light when we leave The English Garden’s office at 5.30pm, which is always the point I really feel spring’s properly under way, the first time we open the office door and it’s no longer dark outside. Then, and also when spotting the first tulips in bloom, of course. Feast your eyes on the cheering vision of masses of these colourful bulbs in gardens such as Glebe House near Abergavenny, where they pop up in dewy meadow grass, or The Old Parsonage in Dorset where ranks of the brightest are just waiting to be cut and taken into the house. Meanwhile, learn…

RHS Wisley Constructed in 1912, the rock garden is one of the oldest features at RHS Wisley (above) in Surrey. Find a wide range of alpines, plants and small weeping trees. In spring, admire pops of colour from young acers and Prunus incisa. Tel: 01483 224234; rhs.org.uk Cragside Surrounding three sides of the house at Cragside in Northumberland, the rock garden slopes down the valley towards Debdon Burn. It is one of the largest in Europe, with an array of heathers, shrubs and azaleas. Tel: 01669 620333; nationaltrust.org.uk Kilver Court Based on George Whitelegg’s gold medal-winning rockery at Chelsea in the 1960s, the rockery at Kilver Court in Shepton Mallett (below) is boldly modern with geometric blocks of conifers. Tel: 01749 340413; kilvercourt.com Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Home to more than 5,000 plants from the world’s mountains,…

This wonderfully diverse wildlife-friendly garden is cleverly planted and nurtured to encourage wildlife using the best plants the temperate world has to offer. Perfect for exploring over the Easter weekend, this free-flowing paradise on a south-facing Devon hillside features varied naturalistic plantings, including meadows of fritillaries, cowslips, yellow rattle and Euphorbia palustris. There’s also a productive garden and vegetable polytunnel set within two acres of horticultural heaven. Holbrook Garden, Sampford Shrubs, Sampford Peverell, Devon EX16 7EN. Opens 9-12 April and 24-25 April, 11am to 5pm. Homemade teas available. Adult: £5; Child: Free.…

Easter Sculpture festival 10-13 April, Bristol This year’s sculpture festival at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden is set to feature more sculptures than ever before. Some 25 sculptors have contributed pieces made from a diverse range of materials, including ceramics (like Renee Kilburn’s sunflower bowls, below), stone, stained glass and mosaic. Visitors can enjoy these artworks against the sculptural backdrop of the garden, with its soaring bamboos, prehistoric tree ferns and giant leaves. Refreshments by Chandos Deli. Adults: £7, children free. Tel: 0117 4282041; botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk…

Great Dixter Spring Plant Fair 4-5 April, East Sussex This small fair includes regular talks by nurserymen on their stalls. Tickets: Standard admission applies. Tel: 01797 252878; greatdixter.co.uk Rare Plant Fair at Evenley Wood Gardens 5 April, Northamptonshire Find plants from a variety of specialist nurseries at a private garden (right) with unusual trees and magnolias. Tickets: £6; children free. Tel: 0845 4681368; rareplantfair.co.uk Plant Hunters’ Fair at Bodenham Arboretum 11 April, Worcestershire Pick up plants at an arboretum with over 3,000 trees and shrubs. Tickets: Free entry to the fair; standard entry to arboretum. Tel: 07716 990695; planthuntersfairs.co.uk Rare Plant Fair at The Old Rectory 19 April, Gloucestershire Admire the organic garden at this Grade II listed rectory and find rare plants from nurseries including D K Plants and The Lavender Garden. Tickets: £5; children free. Tel: 0845 4681368; rareplantfair.co.uk Plant…