A Visit to Blickling Hall Great Wood Bluebells 2025

Once you get to experience the tranquil beauty of a woodland with the Bluebells in full flower it’s probably something you will want to repeat annually. There are many special places to see this spectacle but over the last 15 years I have been visiting Blickling Hall, Great Wood Bluebells near Itteringham in Norfolk,UK. A lovely pub, The Walpole Arms is nearby and I can certainly recommend the food and Ale.

Depending on the weather, the best time to see them is the last weeks of April and the first weeks of May. They do last quite a while but it is best to see them at their peak, on a warm sunny day. There is a car park run by the National Trust that charges but also some limited parking on the nearby verges, but no other facilities at this point. From there it is a short walk into the wood to experience the sea of violet-blue carpet of  Native Bluebells, Hyacinthoides non-scripta.

These are one of my favourite flowers and you can never tire of walking through the spring woodland, with all the trees with their new foliage, and seeing the dappled sunlight on the carpet on violet-blue Bluebells. I don’t think there is another plant that lives on the woodland floor that has such an aesthetic effect. The subject of many an artist’s painting, although, like my photography, nothing can truly capture the reality. The ambience created by the natural quiet and stillness of the woodland, accentuated by the sound of chirping birds, the changing light of a cloudy day, and the woodland scents of the flowers.

As the scientific name suggests, the Bluebell is part of the same subfamily, Scilloideae, as the Hyacinth, both part of the Asparagus family., Asparagaceae. Its name comes from the Greek mythology that would have a type of Hyacinth that has an inscription on it. This Common Bluebell doesn’t, hence non-scripta.

The Bluebell that is native to the UK is different from the ones found elsewhere. The main garden Bluebell is likely to be the Spanish Hyacinthoides hispanica. They are both beautiful but quite different. The Native Bluebell curves over at the top as the bells hang down from one side of the stem. The Spanish Bluebells mainly stay upright and have bells that protrude from all sides of the stem. Many urban woodlands are now being infiltrated by the newcomer, although they have been in the UK for centuries. They are more robust and can overwhelm the native plants. Hybrids can be seen that are difficult to tell the difference. One main difference with the Spanish Bluebells, other than the stem, is they can be anything from white to light violet and dark. The native ones tend to be just the darker violet-blue colour.

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Stody Lodge Gardens

Stody Lodge Gardens

Stody Lodge Gardens are part of the Stody Estate in North Norfolk, UK. During May the gardens are opened up to the public on several Sundays. This is a special time for the gardens as it is the prime season to appreciate the Rhododendrons and Azaleas that proliferate in their beautiful gardens. The Lodge is a private home but the gardens are opened to allow the paying public to enjoy the different areas of garden around the lodge as well as a short walk down Rhododendron Drive to the Azalea Water Gardens. Within the gardens are some specimen trees that add to the interest as well as the multi-coloured Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

The Stody Estate was originally part of the Blickling Estate where Ann Boleyn was born, second wife of King Henry VIII. The current lodge and gardens were redeveloped in 1933 and have been continually added to over the years to create a wonderful family home and space to visit when opened.

In this current world of climate change and uncertainty, it will remain to be seen just what survives as the years go by, but for now we get to enjoy the collection of colourful borders in a idilic setting that is Stody Lodge.

Stody Lodge Gardens

Stody Lodge Gardens Gallery

Jardin Majorelle – Marrakech Morocco 2019

Jardin Majorelle – Marrakech Morocco 2019

Colour is the key to the Jardin Majorelle but not from the plants but rather the buildings and statement pots that are accentuated by the many shades of green palms, shrubs, and succulents that give the shape, size and texture. This garden is both a work of art and a botanical masterpiece, worth spending some time enjoying the detail.

Jardin Majorelle Museum of Berber Arts 1

Garden Design

Today the garden is a 2.2-acre space enclosed by outer walls that give the garden a closed feel in the middle of a suburban street surrounded by modern streets within a short drive of the ancient Medina of Marrakech. The garden started when french artist Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) from Nancy settled in Marrakech after World War 1 and purchased a plot of land on the edge of a palm grove in 1923. He would build a villa and studio that he used in his creative works. He still travelled around Marocco and Africa, collecting ideas and inspiration for his endeavours.

The garden is full of exotic plants collected from across the world. Many rare plants that give a fascinating glimpse of the variety of botanic life. It wasn’t until 1947 that the garden opened to fee-paying visitor necessary to pay for the ever more costly upkeep of the garden.

Majorelle experienced several setbacks leading up to his death in 1962 by which time he had sold his share in the garden and villa. The garden started to decline, and by 1980 it was in danger of being erased by hotel development. Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé who had regularly visited the garden since first coming to Marrakech in 1966, purchased the garden. Although saved, it was not until 1999 that the garden started to expand under the guidance of Moroccan ethnobotanist, garden designer, and photographer Abderrazak Benchaabane.

Benchaabane had the task of cataloguing all the current plants then adding to and restoring the garden in keeping with Majorelle’s original design. Leading to the plants expanding from about 135 to over 300 species. A task that took more than 10-years to complete. Today the gardens can be visited and are kept in trust by the Foundation Jardin Majorelle.

Jardin Majorelle Plan

Museum of Berber Arts

Water Features

Colourful Pots

Palm Trees and Ferns

Cactuses

Holehird Gardens Walled Garden

Holehird Gardens – Windermere – Lake District – UK

Holehird Gardens in the English Lake District have some unique features that set it apart from many others. The gardens sit on the fell side at about 160 meters above sea level with parts of it steeply sloped and well drained, whilst the walled garden is relatively flat. The soil is slightly acidic, typical of the Lake District where you will see many acid loving plants such as Rhododendron flourish. The weather around the year here is varied between very wet to dry and sunny. Temperatures are also varied and the mix, as elsewhere, creates a challenging environment to consistently grow the same plants.

The garden is managed by the Lakeland Horticultural Society and is an award winning RHS Partner garden. It contains six National Collections being – Astilbe, Daboecia, Meconopsis, Polystichum, Hydrangea, Hosta Mouse Series and Tanacetum coccineum.

To find the gardens you need to take the A592 Pattersdale Road off the Ambleside Road near to Windermere on the Lake Windermere. This is a wonderful road to travel, through the Kirkstone Pass and on to Ulswater, a journey well worth taking. However, the Holehird Gardens are only a mile up the road.

As you can see from these images, not only the gardens are beautiful, but the surroundings are also worth the visit. Look across the verdant green pastures down to Lake Windermere or take in the views of the ‘high’ mountains to the north and west.

Holehird Gardens Walled Garden

Garden Design

The Holehird Gardens sit in 10 acres of Lakeland fellside with views that overlook Lake Windermere and the High Fells in the distance. The garden is partially contained in a Walled Garden with flower beds and borders, whilst other plants and shrubs extend into the adjacent fell side. Access is good and mainly flat with good footpaths, but access to some areas will require more agillity.

Meconopsis National Collection

Meconopsis or Himalayan Poppy do well in these conditions, providing unusual blue, purple, yellow and white flowers. These images are some of variety of Meconopsis that are to be found in the garden. Taken in May and include the varieties , Strathspey, Lingholm, Bailey Alba and Sulphurea.

Rhododendron and Azalea

If colour is what you appreciate then a visit to an established collection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas will rarely disappoint. During April to June, the Lake District of England will be decorated with these shrubs a sign that although far from native, the conditions of acidic soil and wet but well drained, allows these to flourish and give a rainbow of colour set against the lush green surroundings.

Trillium cernuum

Trillium cernuum is a flower from the family Melanthiaceae and the idea of the name cernuum is that it has drooping flower. More of a woodland plant of the northern hemisphere it does well in these moist temperate conditions.

Primula

These candelabra Primula certainly enhance the colours of the border. They like moisture conditions and are relatively easy to grow.

Polystichum National Collection

May is no doubt too early in the season to view this National Collection of Polystichum at its best. Definitely useful plants for a wet patch of garden as I have found out from experience.

Matteuccia

Much further along in the growing cycle are the verdant greens of the Matteuccia.

Other Notable Plants

In the walled garden are some raised stone beds that are well drained and allow for smaller plants to flourish. Also allowing a closer look without getting on your hands and knees. These include alpines such as the saxifraga cotyledon Southside Seedling, Geranium cinereum jolly jewel, Penstemon newberryi, and Iberis Absolutely Amethyst.

In the borders you have Camassia quamash, and large architectural plants like Gunnera Manicato.

So a fine plane to visit, interesting plants with unique specimens and stunning views to the high fells.

Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds – England 2013

Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds – England 2013

A visit to the Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds, England, Sunday 16th June 2013.

The small market town of Bury St Edmunds, in the eastern county of Suffolk, England, is full of history and beauty. The town has a Cathedral and Abbey at its centre and is named after King and Saint, Edmund, of the East Angles who was killed by the Vikings in 869 CE. The Abbey itself has beautiful gardens that are well worth visiting throughout the growing seasons. What makes Bury special is the many period houses with walled gardens that normally are private sanctuaries for the owners to enjoy. Once a year the gardens are opened for charity and the general public can visit and get a glimpse of the Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds.

hidden gardens of bury st Edmunds

Tall Free Standing Brick Walls

One of the standout features of these gardens is the tall brick walls that set boundaries and enclose gardens that are ideal for growing climbing roses, Virginia creepers, and clematis. Especially when you can get a sunny south-facing aspect, it makes the ideal backdrop for the lush colourful borders. Brick walls will soak up the sunshine and stabilise the nighttime temperatures, as well as providing shade from the northerly winds. This will allow some sensitive plants to go right through the winter where other more exposed plants will perish.

Clematis

A climber that is a highlight of these gardens is the Clematis. Clematis are part of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. With any supporting structure that they can intertwine and curl around they will easily climb towards the sun. Whilst many varieties are white or pale coloured, these darker colours pop against the vivid green foliage.

Peony

A favourite of many to add beauty to any lush border is the peony. Exquisite flowers often surpassing the rose in form and colour that sit well in any herbaceous border flowering annually with little attention. They soon come and go so enjoying them at their best requires effort.

Iris

Another stand out plant for the mid-back of a border is the Iris. It likes the sun on its rhizome above ground.

Poppy

A wonderful vintage border flower the Oriental Poppy (Papaver Orientale). This perhaps a Papaver ‘Aglaja’ in dusty coral pink.

Border Flowers

Dahlias and Cosmos are other border favourites with so many different forms and colours to choose from.

Shrubs of distinction

Moving on to Shrubs or Bushes that are more of a permanent fixture in the gardens. One that stood out for me was the Kolkwitzia Amabilis or Beauty Bush.

Here is a beautiful Viburnum. Popular in cottage gardens they are hardy and need little maintenance. The Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Kilimanjaro’ or Japanese Snowball Bush is a popular choice.

Every garden needs a bit of shade

Appropriatly positioned trees can give height and structure to a garden and the shade provides for a different growing environment. One tree that interested me was the Varigated Norwegian Maple, Acer platanoides ‘Drummondii’. Semi-translucent leaves give both light and shade and an attractive appearance.

Container Plants add Feature, Control, and Flexibility

Growing plants in pots can elevate and isolate the smaller more delicate flowers. It can restrict the spread and protect from more vigorous plants nearby. Urns filled with burgundy Petunia and crimson Geraniums stand out from the grey limestone pavement.Traditional basket planters filled with acid yellow calceolaria, slipper flowers ideal hung against a weathered rustic fence.

A classic greek urn with egg and dart rim on a simple square stone pedestal gives hight and prominence to a single Hosta. Hopefully keeps the slugs from eating it too.

Living Roof of Sea Thrift

Armeria Maritima or Sea Thrift is a plant that forms a mat of ground, or indeed roof, cover that thrives in harsh, exposed areas. Often found as its name implies by the sea, but this time provides a cover for a wooden structure that gives it a splash of colour in the late spring and summer.

Water Features

Well established water features that add cool to the summer heat and attract wildlife of all kinds make a worthwhile feature in many of the gardens.

Well worth the time and effort if you can make it.