Things to see at Bodnant Garden

The Laburnum Arch at Bodnant Garden

In late May, the crowning glory of spring is the blossoming of the Laburnum Arch. The Arch is a pergola walkway of golden flowers which glow for three weeks in late May and early June. At over 140 years old, it's believed to be the oldest and longest flowering arch in the UK and provides a dazzling finale to the spring  season.  

Late spring highlights 

Other late spring showstoppers are the Embothrium coccineum (Chilean Firebush), with its flame-coloured flowers, and the Chinese Davidia involucrata (Handkerchief Tree), with unusual papery white bracts; both can be seen in the Glades in late May, early June. 

Blossom at Bodnant Garden 

From the first golden glow of the daffodils and the bright pinks of magnolias in early March to the carpets of bluebells and yellow tendrils of laburnum in May and June, spring at Bodnant Garden in the perfect time to enjoy beautiful blossom. 

With the spectacle of acres of ornamental cherry blossom and the scent of other flowering trees and shrubs throughout the garden during spring, it’s a time to enjoy being outdoors again after the shorter, colder days of winter. 

First signs of spring

Camellias are among the first shrubs to flower in late winter and early spring. Introduced in the early 1900s and are widely planted throughout the garden. Camellia x williamsii ‘Charles Puddle’ is named after the former head gardener of Bodnant who founded the International Camellia Society. Camellia japonica ‘Akashigata’ (formerly known as ‘Lady Claire’) is a Bodnant signature plant that can be seen on the streamside bank behind the Pin Mill. 

Magnificent magnolias 

Camellias are closely followed by the garden’s large collection of magnolias, which date back over 100 years. The first of these, the Magnolia campbelli on the Terraces, begin to flower in March (sometimes as early as February) and a host of different varieties continue to flower right through to June.  

One of many other magnolias to see around the garden is the Magnolia denudata, the official flower of Shanghai. This deciduous magnolia has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist temple gardens since 600 AD. The stunning pure white chalice shaped flowers in mild years start flowering in late March. They are planted on mass around the edges of the Tennis Lawn. 

Rhododendrons and azaleas 

Bodnant Garden’s National Collection of rhododendrons light up almost every area with their dazzling colour from March to June. It’s said there's a rhododendron in bloom every month of the year here, but they reach a peak in April and May. The garden is especially famous for its Asian rhododendrons, including unique hybrids bred at the garden from the 1920s.  

One of the most famous examples of a successful Bodnant hybrids is Rhododendron ‘Elizabeth’ named after Henry’s eldest child, which is still one of the most popular rhododendrons in the UK. 

The azaleas come into flower between April and June, bringing with them spectacular colours in the East Garden. Many of the varieties found at Bodnant Garden were originally cultivated in Japan hundreds of years ago. They were first introduced to the UK in the early 20th century. 

Bodnant Garden - 150 years

During autumn 2024, Bodnant Garden celebrated 150 years since it was bought at auction by Victorian industrialist Henry Davis Pochin and his wife, Agnes.  At the time, Bodnod as it was then known, was an estate with a walled garden, woods and plantations. It was Pochin's grand vision which shaped and led to the Grade 1 listed garden that we see today. 

2024 also marked 75 years since Bodnant Garden was gifted to the National Trust by Henry McLaren, Lord Aberconway. In 1948 he persuaded the National Trust to accept gardens on their own merit into the fold of the charity, Bodnant being only the second admitted in 1949, after Hidcote.  

The Old Mill 

The Old Mill down in the Dell will be open for visitors and will feature a display of information and archive photographs from the last 150 years of the garden. 

A garden of firsts and National Collections 

Cared for by the National Trust since 1949, Bodnant is a garden of firsts. Home to the earliest and grandest laburnum arch completed in around 1880, and to some of Britain’s earliest magnolias introduced from China in the late 1800s.  It’s said there's a rhododendron in bloom every month of the year here, but they reach a peak in April and May. 

The garden is especially famous for its Asian rhododendrons, including unique hybrids bred at the garden from the 1920s. Many of these unique varieties can still be seen in the garden today. Bodnant Garden is also home to five National Collections – Rhododendron forrestii, magnolias, embothriums (Chilean fire bush), eucryphias and Bodnant Hybrid rhododendrons.  

The Terraces at Bodnant Garden  

Bodnant Garden is famed as the finest rose garden in Wales with its five formal Italianate terraces, designed and built in the new Arts and Crafts style between 1904 and 1914. Home to many established varieties of roses, including many of the David Austin varieties, it comes alive with colour and perfume from June until late September. 

Picturesque ponds 

Two of the terraces are recognised for their picturesque ponds, which are home to water lilies and a variety of wildlife. The borders on each of the terraces are planted with careful consideration of the surrounding environment and are in keeping with the year of their creation. Each of the five terraces was intended to be a revelation as you descend to the next.  

The East Garden 

The Laburnum Arch 

The golden blooms of the Laburnum Arch attract thousands of visitors to the garden in late May and early June each year. The arch flowers for between 10 to 14 days each year. The arch is the only one of its kind in the country which is curved, following the wall which runs alongside.  

The Winter and Round Gardens 

The Round Garden, with its 18th century water fountain, provides interest through the spring and summer with its four quadrants and new planting scheme. Structural forms and seed heads offer interest through the autumn and winter months.  

The Winter Garden, located just before the top gate to the Old Park Meadow, is a maze of pathways that take you through a variety of cornus, skimmia, cyclamen, iris and daphne. Coming alive in the winter months as its name suggests, it provides interest and a tranquil spot to sit.   

The Shrub Borders  

Providing the first hints of the surprises that await down in The Dell, the Shrub Borders are home to camellias and tree magnolias and some of the famous blood-red Bodnant hybrid rhododendrons. Behind the Pin Mill, a path leads down, past banks of camellias and rhododendrons to a stream-fed rockery that comes alive with giant Himalayan lilies, ferns and hostas in late spring and early summer.   

The Glades 

Separating the Shrub Borders and the Dell, the Glades are a good area for daffodils in the spring, and the bluebells that follow hot on their heels.  Fiery shades of red and amber burst through during the autumn months. Trees from all over the world, including  cornus, prunus, liquidambar and paulownia provide year-long interest with the acers lighting up the arboretum from September to November. 

Walks and wildflowers 

Down to the Dell 

The rich soil and moist atmosphere of the Dell suit the larger-leaved rhododendrons. Discover the Waterfall Bridge, with its vertical torrent of water on one side, and the calm, reflective pool on the other. Home to wildlife including kingfishers, dippers, heron and ducks.  Further upstream you’ll find the Skating Pond and Boathouse, with weeping willows, swamp cypress and azaleas that signal the start of spring with vibrant colours.  

Furnace Hill 

This area of the garden offers fine views back towards the house and terraces as well as across to the Conwy River. Penjerrick Walk, along the top of Furnace Hill, comes alive in spring with a variety of rhododendron which include amongst others Augustinii, Penjerrick and ‘Reve d’amour’. Discover Lady Anglesey’s Seat and sit for a while to enjoy the view across to the house and terraces.  

Wildflower meadows 

Bodnant Garden has two wildflower meadows. The Old Park Meadow dates to the Georgian era and is now home to daffodils in early spring with wildflowers as far as the eye can see appearing throughout May and June. During winter, sheep graze in the Old Park up to Christmas. Furnace Meadow lies on the southern hillside, overlooking the riverside garden and is a peaceful spot to take a moment to enjoy nature, no matter the season.