Our Head Gardener points out what to look out for now and in the coming weeks…

The impressive yellow flowers of Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry) and Cornus officinalis (Japanese cornelian cherry) both have similar small clusters of tiny, bright yellow flowers.

Fritillaria meleagris – with white and maroon-red flowers – can be found dotted through grass areas, whilst Fritillaria imperialis (Crown imperial) – with stems up to one metre in height and pendent bell-shaped red flowers – can be found along ‘Her Ladyships Walk,’ the entrance path into the arboretum.

Paulownia fortunei ‘Fast Blue’ – known as the ‘Fox Glove tree’ because of the beautiful lightly scented lilac-blue flowers shaped like the foxglove flower – can also be found along ‘Her Ladyships Walk.’

The vibrant yellow flowers of Skunk Cabbage and Marsh Marigolds are in flower around Rockery Bridge and in the swamp.

It is also worth looking out for the impressive displays of Wild Garlic with sporadic displays of Bluebells in Church Piece.

The wildflower area surrounding our ‘Daphne’ statue has come alive, starting with a mass of beautiful blue Camassia leichtlinii.

Ornamental flowering crab apple Malus spectabilis (the Chinese Crab) is covered in pink flowers and can be found to the side of the path below the Thatched Cottage.

Ornamental flowering dogwoods are not to be missed; Cornus ‘Norman Hadden’ and Cornus ‘Porlock’ – flowerheads grow to 8cm in width, with four ovate white bracts which turn pink with age. Both are covered in bracts which makes for an impressive sight, and can be found to the lower front of the Rest House, by Lord Dulverton and Ken Hope’s memorial benches.

Finally, a trip to Batsford in May would not be complete without a visit to our beautiful ‘Pocket Handkerchief Tree’ (Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana)!