Bradenham-Hall-gardensImage Bradenham Hall

Spring Flourish

In April, spring really does get into its stride with plenty of colour spreading throughout the garden. The gardens opening for the National Gardens Scheme this month offer a wide variety of plants and bulbs flowering at their peak.

Here is just a sample of the gardens you can visit,

Gayton Hall, a twenty acre water garden opening on April 6 has over two miles of meandering paths alongside streams and lakes. The banks are carpeted with primulas, daffodils and even some fascinating prehistoric looking skunk cabbage flowers!

On April 13 Bradenham Hall has thousands of narcissi in wide drifts to marvel at and the largest arboretum in Norfolk with over 800 different trees starting to burst into bud and some already in flower. Unusually there is a large aviary full of chattering budgies to amuse the children and grownups!

Wretham Lodge on Easter Sunday and Monday April 20 and 21 in Wretham continues the spring bulb theme with many species of tulips, fritillaries in the meadow and hellebores to inspect close up in the walled gardens.

16 Witton Lane at Little Plumstead on April 27 completes a bulb themed month with some marvellous and rare species collected from around the world by owner Richard Hobbs and he will have plenty of intriguing tales to tell! This garden can be visited together with nearby Plovers Hill in Strumpshaw for just £5 and, as for all NGS gardens, children have free admission. All gardens will also be serving the renowned homemade teas.

 

Sprake and Tyrrell Builders, Bungay