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Kent's spring gardens
Now is the perfect time to pay a visit to Kent, the Garden of England and experience some of the wonders of this beautiful county as it begins to bloom. Carpets of spring bulbs, hellebores, tulips, magnolias, blossom, and then the spectacular bluebells; Kent's gardens are rightly world renowned.
And with 180-plus to choose from, there's one to match your every mood and interest: grand and historic, exotic and informal, innovative vistas in the making like the World Garden of Plants. Excite or soothe your senses on a genuinely revitalising escape (and pick up brilliant ideas for your own garden from celebrated designers across the ages).
Goodnestone Park, near Canterbury
Follow Jane Austen to Goodnestone, a surprising haven of tranquillity - the author was a frequent visitor to this family home of her sister-in-law. After February's miniature daffodils, hellebores, daphnes, witch hazels, mahonias and bold winter views, March and April will bring blossom in the arboretum, early magnolias, euphorbias, tulips, alliums and spring perennials in the borders.
Penshurst Place and Gardens
Get to the early roots of our horticultural traditions in Penshurst's 11-acre formal walled garden, whose records date back to 1346. The ancestral estate of Viscount De L'Isle is a beautiful blend of ancient parkland with intimate garden ‘rooms' close to the medieval house. March sees the Orchard and Park resplendent with daffodils, mistletoe, lime trees and hellebores, whilst April brings tulips, bluebells, crab apple blossom, spring bulbs and magnolias to the Nut Garden and Terraces.
Bedgebury National Pinetum
Spring is always an exciting time in the National Pinetum at Bedgebury. It's the first chance to see if all the trees planted last year have survived the winter. On average Bedgebury plant around 550 trees per annum. Their horticultural role involves experimenting with new plants and pushing the accepted boundaries for plant survival - Bedgebury is a test bed for new species. So keep your eyes open for some unique and wonderful new trees this spring!
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Sissinghurst, one of the world's most celebrated gardens inspires no matter how many times you visit, with its bewitching play of colours and mood. The creation of writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson, it surrounds the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion in a series of small compartments - among them, the iconic White Garden which certainly cools your senses after the abundance of ‘hot' colours elsewhere. There are hundreds of spring-flowering bulbs along the lime walk, while the azaleas and wisteria will be at their peak towards May.
Brogdale, Home to the National Fruit Collections
Brogdale, near Faversham, is home to The National Fruit Collections, including over 2,300 different varieties of apple, 550 of pear, 350 of plum, and 320 of cherry. From late March onwards, the site erupts into a frothy mass of flowers, ranging from dazzling white to vivid coral pink. First to come into bloom are the pears, followed by plums and cherries, then early apples. No need to feel baffled, there's plenty of plant advice if you want to buy something to take home, and guided orchard tours take place regularly.
Other spring delights
National Trust properties are alive with the sights and sounds of this colourful season. Visit Emmetts Garden to see a sea of bluebells. At Chartwell, golden daffodils carpet the ground. Scotney Castle is renowned for its vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas - a sight not to be missed. Ightham Mote is alive with tulips, apple blossom and cherry trees. Check out the events listings for spring walks at Sissinghurst and Scotney Castle, plus Spring Bulb Weekends at Smallhythe Place.
Visit Mount Ephraim, near Faversham, an enchanting nine-acre Edwardian garden with views to surrounding blossoming orchards. An extensive collection of shrubs and trees plus a rock garden will keep you fascinated.
The magic of the 13th-century double-moated Hever Castle, near Edenbridge, where Henry VIII romanced Anne Boleyn is matched by spellbinding gardens. For the very first time since 1939 visitors will now be able to walk the entire distance around the lake. Along the way visitors will be able to look out for kingfishers, swans, herons and crested grebes on the lake.
Tom Hart Dyke's innovative World Garden at Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford, will eventually feature 10,000 different species from around the globe. Come and celebrate the opening of the of the new Cactus and Succulent House on 22nd March, when the gardens open for the first time after the winter.
