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North Wales Gardens
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Visitors delight in enchanting National Trust properties, private gardens with rare plants, and the Welsh College of Horticulture, Northop, with its garden centre and miniature railway.
Bodnant Garden, Llandudno, is undoubtedly among the most popular public gardens in North Wales with its famous laburnum arch flowering in spring, stunning summer climbers and autumn leaf foliage.
Nearby at Bodysgallen Hall Hotel, Llandudno, is another hidden gem of a garden, with fascinating follies, 17th century parterre and walled rose garden.
The national ivy collection can be seen at the National Trust’s Erddig Hall, where there is also a yew walk and colourful display of climbing roses. See more yews at Chirk Castle, along with a lime tree avenue, topiary and shrubbery.
Plas Newydd is probably the most well known garden on Anglesey. The hall houses the largest collection of works by artist Rex Whistler and there is a military museum. The garden was created by 18th century landscape designer Humphry Repton with sweeping drives and vistas.
Today prominent gardeners in North Wales include author, topiary expert and Radio Stoke gardener Jenny Hendy, who runs workshops just across the border at Grosvenor Garden Centre, Chester.
Several public gardens in North Wales have garden centres and gift shops, including Portmeirion, famed for being the filming location of TV series The Prisoner. It now has a hotel, restaurants, statues and trompe l'oeil paint effects.
May bank holiday is a chance to buy colourful rare plants at the annual North Wales Garden Festival at Bodelwyddan Castle. Stay for a weekend gardening break combining visits to the festival and award winning nurseries in North Wales.
At Caernarfon Crug Farm Plants is a serious plant heaven, while Chelsea and Hampton Court gold medal holders Dibley Nurseries, Ruthin, are backing a campaign to encourage more people on gardening themed holidays in North Wales.
Find gardening packages on the website www.gardensnorthwales.co.uk with visits included to fuchsia specialists Roualeyn Nursery; Penrhyn Castle;, Plas Brondanw, home of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis; Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, set in 13 acres, including a Japanese garden;
Parc Glynllifon; and The Garden House, Erbistock, home to a National Collection of Hydrangeas.
Scores of private properties also hold private garden open days in North Wales, often for charity and many listed in the National Gardens Scheme Yellow Book.
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