Vibrant gardens showcasing daffodils and spring blooms - must-visit gardens for captivating scenery this month
Swing by and check out our curated list of fantastic plants for March, perfect for those gardening ventures this month, as well as gardening tasks to tackle during this period.
Gardens to Explore in March
RHS Garden Wisley, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
March often brings back memories of bright daffodils and crocuses, serving as a beacon of hope as winter recedes. Swing by RHS Garden Wisley, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, or the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to witness an array of these cheerful blooms. There are numerous UK gardens that showcase daffodils throughout the month.
- RHS Garden Wisley
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Plant Enrichment Notes:
- Lungwort (Pulmonaria) - is a striking option in early spring, bearing blue, purple, pink, or white flowers from early March. Some varieties transition from rose-red to violet or blue as they mature, adding additional visual appeal. Lungwort thrives in shade to partial shade and is often found coexisting with wild clematis[3].
- Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum) - although it primarily blossoms from April, some early cultivars and mild regions may produce the first golden-yellow, sunflower-like blooms in late March. This classic border plant complements well with other perennials.
Godinton House
In Kent, the Jacobean house Godinton House is surrounded by a beautiful garden, home to herbaceous borders, a rose garden, and a three-acre wild garden that teems with daffodils, fritillaries, primroses, and other spring blooms in March and April[5]. Godinton House & Gardens, Godinton Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP. Tel 01233 643854, godintonhouse.co.uk
Dora's Field
Literature enthusiasts may find a sentimental touch at Dora's Field in Cumbria. William Wordsworth once owned the field and envisioned building a home for his daughter Dora on the site. After her untimely death, he filled the area with daffodils in her memory instead. Currently cared for by the National Trust, it continues to bloom with daffodils and bluebells in March[5].
Adjacent to St Mary's Church, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9LR. nationaltrust.org.uk
Bodnant Garden
Wales, where daffodils are the national flower, is home to several impressive gardens showcasing them. Built in the 1870s by industrial chemist Henry Pochin, Bodnant Garden is known for its famous terraces, beautiful herbaceous borders, and enchanting laburnum arch. It also offers a fabulous spring display of daffodils[5].
If your preference leans towards the smaller varieties, don't miss the early-flowering Narcissus cyclamineus and Narcissus "Cedric Morris"—a small, lemon-yellow bulb known to bloom as early as Christmas. However, the main daffodil display begins in March, with the Old Park meadow and grassy Glades awash in yellow[5].Tal-y-Cafn, near Colwyn Bay, Conwy LL28 5RE. Tel 01492 650460, nationaltrust.org.uk
Aberconwy Nursery
Just a few miles from Bodnant is Aberconwy Nursery—the best alpine nursery in the UK[6]. Reopening after winter, it offers beautifully grown plants and has supplied many of the author's smaller plants.
Glan Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Conwy LL28 5TL.Tel 01492 580875, aberconwynursery.co.uk
Alpine Garden Society Shows
If you can't make it to North Wales, the Alpine Garden Society holds shows around the country, including three in March. The Scottish Rock Garden Club plays a similar role in Scotland and certain northern England regions.[6]
alpinegardensociety.net and srgc.net
Mount Edgcumbe
As March can still be quite chilly, a warmer Cornish garden provides a lovely conclusion. The seven-acre garden at Mount Edgcumbe features the National Collection of Camellias, containing over 1,000 species and cultivars of these delicate flowers.
Cremyll, Torpoint, Cornwall PL10 1HZ. Tel 01752 822236, mountedgcumbe.gov.uk
- This month, include lungwort (Pulmonaria) in your home-and-garden lifestyle, as it offers striking blue, purple, pink, or white flowers from early March, thriving in shade to partial shade.
- Godinton House in Kent, with its beautiful garden showcasing herbaceous borders, a rose garden, and a three-acre wild garden teeming with daffodils and spring blooms, is a must-visit spot in March.
- For those with a literary inclination, Dora's Field in Cumbria, once owned by William Wordsworth, offers a sentimental touch with its many daffodils and bluebells in memory of his daughter Dora in March.
