From bulbs to blossom, blow away the cobwebs with a colourful spring stroll at Rosemoor
At Rosemoor, we love to grow miniature narcissi including Narcissus 'Tete-a-Tete' AGM in pots. They certainly brighten up the area around the Cottage Garden shelter and can be found almost anywhere in the garden filling a gap on some paving.
Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' AGM is just one of a number of fabulous magnolias in Lady Anne’s Garden. Although some magnolias might get caught by late frost, they are worth the risk for those magnificent fragrant blooms.
This mix of dark red Helleborus x hybridus with white and yellow Narcissus 'February Silver' makes a lovely combination in the Winter Garden. Planting in large groups is the key if you want to make an impact as we have here.
The Alpine house is beginning to fill up with choice plants where they are protected from the worst of the weather. More of these delicate beauties are added to the display as spring progresses, each species having its own special charm.
We plant our tulips in pots, mainly to foil the badgers who love to munch their way through the bulbs (they ignore Narcissus). Fresh bulbs are planted every autumn to place next to seating areas where they can be fully appreciated. These are in front of the shelter in the Cottage Garden, making a stunning combination with Narcissus and Fritillaria imperialis AGM.
The Plant Centre banks are filled with appropriately named Narcissus ‘Rosemoor Gold’ planted beneath pink-blossomed Prunus and Malus. For more blossom, seek out the Prunus 'Tai-haku' AGM (great white cherry) next to the Stone Garden, covered in a froth of white flowers emerging from pink buds.
The Cornus controversa 'Variegata' AGM on Lady Anne’s drive is reaching magnificent proportions. It is easy to see why the common name is ‘wedding cake tree’. The froth of white blooms and pale leaves contrasts beautifully with the dark red/purple of Cotinus coggygria and the bright pink of Rhododendron orbiculare AGM in the foreground.
Bright green shuttlecock ferns, blue camassia, and the young bronze leaves of Rodgersia make the stream garden a delight. Bright spring sunshine lightens up the fern fronds and the new foliage of the trees in this magical part of the garden.
Some 400 types of rhododendrons bring clashing, breathtaking colour to Rosemoor when spring arrives. ‘We have these planted throughout the garden to brighten the borders until the other plants awake,’ said Curator Jon Webster. The Woodland Garden, overlooking Lady Anne’s original garden, is especially worth a stroll to see cultivars including Rhododendron ‘Hatsu-giri’.
