Winter Garden

The Winter Garden is located near to the Visitor Pavilion, it was opened by Lord Heseltine in 1998. It has more than 800 different plants grown for their winter beauty.

In early 2014 The Winter Garden was extended. It now covers around 4 acres in total, being one of the largest Winter Gardens in Europe. Many new plants have been added. This includes 500 Cyclamen tubers planted as a ground cover in a bed near the small summer house.

The planting features a palette of bark, bold coloured stems, scent and foliage. Close to the Visitor Centre is a large new bed planted with Salix (willow), Cornus (dogwoods). There is also extra height provided by some existing birch trees. It is a simple combination of just four or five plant groups to improve the entrance to the Winter Garden.

An important part of the Winter Garden during January and February is our National Collection of witch hazel (Hamamelis). Our witch hazels bring elegant colour and fragrance to the area.