Conservation charity will revamp a selection of gardens for visitors to enjoy, reports Ian Hodgson
Several National Trust gardens are being restored or redeveloped to become more climatically resistant. At Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire, award-winning landscape and garden designer Andy Sturgeon has been refreshing and, in some areas, reinventing the eight-acre garden since 2016. This summer sees the opening of a Mediterranean garden, complete with new planting, water features, seating and paths to encourage exploration.
A new garden is also being created at the Grade I-listed Sheffield Park and Garden in East Sussex. Created by Chelsea gold medal winner Joe Perkins, the new garden will include a monkey puzzle tree from South America, Wollemi pines and Australian eucalyptus, plus Chilean mayten trees and other plants from drier parts of the world. This is the first time a new area of the 120-acre gardens has been created since the National Trust took over ownership in 1954 and is set to open in 2025.
BODNANT RHODODENDRON EVENT OPENS
Around 30 rhododendron species and varieties from Bodnant Garden in North Wales are being displayed there from May 6–10, celebrating 75 years since the gardens came into the National Trust’s care. Visitors can enjoy the plants’ diversity along with information boards. It is the third of the Trust’s ‘Plant Monograph’ events, with RHS botanists collecting and pressing rhododendrons and speaking to visitors. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/bodnant-garden
Roses are a key component in some garden redevelopments. The Rose Garden at Anglesey Abb
