This Week in the Gardens

Mid May is one of the loveliest moments in the gardens, when everything feels fresh, full and impossibly green. The trees are now in full leaf, the meadows are dotted with buttercups and every corner feels full of new growth and colour.

The wisteria is currently out in force, with the white wisteria down by the wedding pavilion looking particularly beautiful at the moment and filling the area with scent.

The azaleas in the rock gardens are absolutely stunning just now, bringing rich reds and vivid pinks to the banks and pathways, while the rhododendrons down by the lake and through the little wood are putting on a wonderful display.

The arboretum has just finished its blossom season and has now moved into that glorious stage of fresh green canopy and soft dappled light beneath the trees.

Over on the snowdrop bank, the newly created grass bug stacks are taking centre stage. Designed to encourage insects and other wildlife into the gardens, they sit beautifully within the landscape and are framed by the striking bright red leaves of the Azelea. Meanwhile, the first lupins are beginning to appear in the herbaceous borders and rose terraces, hinting at everything still to come as we move towards summer.

It really is one of those weeks where the whole garden feels at its very best — layered with every possible shade of green and full of life wherever you look.