A year in the garden

Tulips flower into early May on the Parterre and in Tulip Patch. In the Aviary and Upper Deer Peen, alliums and camassias will create a sea of purple. In late May, the ornamental beds will be planted with summer bedding. Elsewhere, see seasonal colour with bluebells and candle blossom on horse chestnut trees.

To mark Alice de Rothschild’s centenary, the beds in the Aviary and Parterre will recreate rare colour autochromes from c.1910 and be filled with colourful Victorian-inspired planting. This year, our two carpet beds celebrate Miss Alice and the Queen’s Jubilee. Flowers and scent will fill the Rose garden.

The ornamental beds will look their best during the summer months of July and August. Brightly coloured geraniums, bidens and verbenas will be in full bloom on the Parterre. At the Aviary, begonias and nemesia will help to create a vibrant display. Stop by Red Lion Steps and enjoy the tropical planting.

As we move towards autumn, the bidens, begonias and verbena along with tropical planting in the Aviary grotto and at Red Lion Steps will keep colour and greenery in the gardens. Be sure to visit our 3D pheasant, in place for the first time since 2019. In late September collect conkers from our Horse Chestnut trees.

The winter bedding changeover will begin, as we pull out the summer plants and put in spring bulbs and flowering plants ready for next year. The grounds will be transformed as the trees change to deep, magnificent golden hues.

The garden hibernates for winter. Variegated hollies and evergreen shrubs will give the garden depth while winter flowering shrubs give Tay Bridge and the Winter Garden colour. Christmas trees and our Winter Light sculptures in the gardens mark the festive season.

See the stark beauty of winter in the garden and enjoy long winter walks and warming up with hot chocolate from the coffee bar. Enjoy the continuation of Winter Light at Waddesdon until the end of January.

The trees may be bare and the days are shorter, but bring the dog for long walks through the grounds.

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The garden starts to wake from its winter sleep. Scillas will be flowering and colour will be creeping into the spring bedding displays. Early daffodils begin to show. On the way to Tay Bridge see colourful stemmed and winter flowering shrubs.

Spring bedding is in full flower. Tulip season at Waddesdon will begin while Daffodil Valley, Tay Bridge and the Upper Deer Pen will be full of daffodils.