Kingston Lacy, nr Wimborne, is famous for having magnificent displays of snowdrops.
The snowdrop walk stretches through the 40-acre garden for one and a half miles and is at its best throughout early February. Andrew Hunt, the National Trust’s Head Gardener at Kingston Lacy said ‘There will be over 40 different varieties of snowdrop on display this year for any avid galanthophiles to spot. In total there will be over six million plants to discover.’
Nestled between the sleeping tree ferns in the Victorian Fernery sprout the bright white droplets, carpeting the beds around the twisty paths. With fun names like ‘Ding Dong’ and ‘Heffalump’ the Fernery is home to over 35 different varieties. More of these diamond-white flowers can be spotted along the Lime Avenue and on to Lady’s Walk, where passionate horticulturalist Henrietta Bankes first had her gardener plant snowdrops in the early 1900s.
The Japanese garden is also a great place for snowdrops as they carpet the banks either side of the path. The juxtaposition of the bamboo and traditional snowdrops is unique in this National Trust garden. As the snowdrop is one of the first bulbs to flower in the gardening calendar this spectacle marks the start of the spring colours.
Snowdrop lovers can also take the opportunity to join the Kingston Lacy gardeners for an exclusive guided walk on the 12 and 26 February to learn more about the many different varieties and discover their long history at Kingston Lacy. Pre-booking for these walks is essential and cost £8 per person. Normal admission also applies for non-National Trust members. The garden team at Kingston Lacy are looking forward to the daffodils, tulips and bluebells that will begin to fill the garden in the coming months.
During the spring visitors will also be able to see the colourful hyacinths and spring bedding displays coming to life on the newly restored Parterre, an important part of the formal garden that sits to the east of the house.
The gardens are open daily from 10am – 4pm. For full details on the garden at Kingston Lacy head to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy.
Words by the National Trust
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