Our work in the garden at Plas Newydd

Camellia Dell

The Camellia Dell, situated in a former sand quarry in the southern part of the garden, was originally planted by the 6th Marquess of Anglesey in the early 20th century. However, in recent years, the camellias had grown too large, and some had fallen into poor health. To rejuvenate them and ensure the area’s long-term vibrancy, some camellias were hard pruned, while others were carefully removed.

The garden team are now in the process of renovating this special part of the garden. Last winter, they cleared space for new plantings, and this spring, they introduced a stunning array of additions, including Japanese maples, hydrangeas, azaleas, and, of course, camellias.

The second stage of this project has now begun. In this final phase, selected shrubs will be removed, while key mature plants such as camellias, magnolias, and enkianthus are carefully preserved. The team are also restoring the historic stone steps and pathway above the middle bed to improve access to this beautiful corner of the garden.

When renovating an historic garden, it is vital to respect its history and spirit. However, sensitive change is sometimes needed. The new design will incorporate camellias as the spine of the planting, with smaller cultivars of cherry replacing the large trees that used to grow in this bed, along with many other plants from Japan and China.

If you have any questions about this project, please get in touch at plasnewydd@nationaltrust.org.uk.