THERE'S a certain beauty in spring, in that it brings everything back to life. The colour comes back into the world thanks to those small but mighty crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils. Some might say it is a bit of a spectacular, which is what we are celebrating at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for the next few months, embracing all those little joys in the garden, the bursts of colour, the bulbs developing their first shoots.
Back in autumn, the gardening team began preparing for spring and planted over half a million bulbs across the estate so that we can bring a true 'spring spectacular' to the gardens for March, April and May.
And while our garden may be vast and sprawling with colour throughout the seasons, it is not something that is unachievable in your own gardens. Keeping the colour from the first snowdrops in February to the last hesperantha in the first frosts of November, all takes a bit of planning, but it is well worth it.
Spring and summer, when your garden is blooming, is the ideal time to start thinking about planting for next year. Camera in hand, take a walk through your garden and identify gaps and spaces in beds and borders – take photos so you can easily locate their positions again when planting your bulbs out in the autumn.
If you're filling borders and beds, sow biennial seeds such as violas, pansies and wall flowers, plant out in the autumn and they will burst into colour for you come March. For that most recognisable of spring flowers, daffodil bulbs need to be planted in September, followed by tulip bulbs in October and November, which of course you can grow in smaller pots before transferring them to larger pots and beds in early January and February.
On a visit Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in March, April or May, you’ll be able to experience the full bloom of our camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons. They're quite the spectacle, and if you want to experience that burst of colour this spring, head to the nearest garden centre where you can buy ready-grown spring flowers and plants. Most rhododendrons are at their best in May, but ask for those that flower from January and late ones that give you blooms until the end of July, to extend their beauty throughout the year.
Investing in magnolias will bring you years of beauty for the garden. There are two to be admired in Hillsborough Castle’s Lost Garden – ‘Elizabeth’ is the first yellow hybrid introduced into the UK. It originated from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in 1956 and is very floriferous. ‘Galaxy’ is noted for its candy-scented, tulip shaped flowers and is best appreciated in full bloom in May. The group of Rhododendron loderi ‘King George’ on the main lawn at Hillsborough is a must see – it is a sheer spectacle and has the most amazing scent I’m sure it will inspire you to add one or two to your own garden beds.
We’re fond of the 'Chelsea Chop' here at Hillsborough; cutting back taller perennials this time of year by at least a half to a third of their height, which gives a stronger and sturdier stem, a more compact plant, and extends the flowering.
Of course, it's not possible to have the whole garden blooming all year, but that is why planning is essential, so you can always have an area of interest for all those different flowers, colours and seasons.
Hillsborough Castle and Garden’s Spring Spectacular runs from March 4-8, with seasonal events beginning March 15-May 17, including the Hillsborough Daffodil Show on Saturday March 25. For more information or to book visit hrp.org.uk/Hillsborough-castle
