Springtime Garden Wander: Explore Gardens Blooming Marvelously in April
This April, Keith Wiley recommends exploring some stunning gardens brimming with spectacular blooms. Don't miss his feature on April's finest flowering plants.
For added motivation and guidance, here's a listing of gardening tasks for April, along with the top plants to cultivate this month.
Top gardens to visit in April 2025
Greencombe Gardens
April marks the season I most associate with erythroniums. In Southern regions, you'll likely encounter these beauties during the first half of the month, while Northern areas may witness them later, towards the end of the month. Fortunately, our South West region boasts several enchanting gardens hosting these divine flowers.
One such idyllic haven is the wondrous Greencombe Gardens in Porlock. Encompassing a tiny, three-and-a-half-acre woodland garden, Greencombe features a completely organic setting, housing one of the National Collections of erythroniums along with a variety of ferns and trilliums.
Greencombe Gardens, Porlock, Somerset TA24 8NU. Tel 01643 862363, greencombe.org
Bosvigo House
Further west in Cornwall, another picturesque garden awaits at Bosvigo House. Crafted over more than 50 years by renowned artist Wendy Perry, this woodland garden displays drifts of erythroniums, hellebores, and wood anemones during the spring season.
Bosvigo Lane, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3NH. Tel 01872 275774, bosvigo.com
Knightshayes
Erythroniums on a larger scale can be admired at the National Trust garden at Knightshayes near Tiverton, offering 50 acres of woodland gardens.
Bolham, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7RG. Tel 01884 254665, nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes
Join as a National Trust member for free entry.
Garden House
Extensive plantings of erythroniums can also be found at the Garden House in south Devon. Consisting of ten unique garden zones, the site offers an on-site nursery and tea room.
The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7LQ. thegardenhouse.org.uk
Wildside
In April, consider combining your trip with a visit to Keith Wiley's own garden at Wildside, which is located near the Garden House and will be open on select dates specifically for erythroniums viewing.
Green Lane, Buckland, Monachorum, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7NP. Tel 01822 855755, wileyatwildside.com
Scottish Rock Garden Club
Be sure to think Scotland's gardens when contemplating erythroniums. Aberdeen-based Ian Young is a devoted aficionado of all things bulbous whose Bulb Log on the Scottish Rock Garden Club website is both a delight to peruse and a valuable source of advice on where to discover bulbous plants throughout the northern UK.
srgc.net
For additional inspiration, review our guide to the best gardens to visit in Scotland or explore highly-rated Scottish gardens on Trip Advisor.
CruFWug Farm Nurseries
April is also an ideal month for visiting nurseries to discover new, refreshing plants for your planting palette. Topping Wiley's list of must-visit nurseries is always CruFWug Farm Nurseries in North Wales, which reopens this month.
From their extensive plant expeditions, owners Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones have introduced countless new plants into cultivation, making a visit to their nursery consistently inspiring.
CruFWug Farm Plants, Griffith's Crossing, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1TU. Tel 01248 670232, CruFWug Farm plants
Discover our guide to the best gardens in Wales to uncover additional remarkable destinations.
Ashwood Nurseries
Ideally, Wiley recommends breaking travel to CruFWug Farm (North Wales) at Ashwood Nurseries (near Birmingham), timing it so that he can include a look round owner John Massey's private garden, which opens on select dates in April and May for Saturdays.
Ashwood Lower Lane, Ashwood, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AE. Tel 01384 401996, ashwoodnurseries.com
Tips for the Best Hotel Stays with Garden Appeal
If you'd like to extend your trip or book a short stay away from home, explore our guide to the best hotels with gardens in the UK for an unforgettable garden-themed adventure.
- In April, explore the Greencombe Gardens in Porlock, Somerset, where the National Collection of erythroniums can be found, along with an array of ferns and trilliums.
- Bosvigo House in Cornwall is another must-visit garden, showcasing drifts of erythroniums, hellebores, and wood anemones during the spring season.
- Knightshayes, a National Trust garden in Devon offers 50 acres of woodland gardens with a grand display of erythroniums.
- For a more extensive planting of erythroniums, visit the Garden House in south Devon, which offers ten unique garden zones, an on-site nursery, and a tea room.
