National Garden Scheme Open Day at Hever Castle

April 19 2021 | Garden

Hever Castle & gardens will once again be opening in support of the National Garden Scheme – this year on Wednesday 21 April.

Visitors can prebook tickets on the National Garden Scheme website to a chance to enjoy the stunning 125 acre gardens in the Weald of Kent. When these have sold out visitors can also purchase tickets for this day on the Hever Castle website.

Over 25,000 tulips proudly standing to attention and providing a visual feast of spring colour will be the main highlight this year.

A kaleidoscope of brightly coloured parrot, Darwin, peony and triumph tulips will declare that spring has well and truly arrived.

Head Gardener, Neil Miller, a fan of bold bright colours, has selected a palette for 2021 that celebrates spring in all its glory and heralds the start of warmer days to come.

Close to a thousand tulips called ‘Affaire’ will greet visitors at the Castle gate, while a new bed of over 4,000 tulips planted in block colours will mimic a flowing rainbow beside Two Sisters’ Lawn. The Italian Garden with its ornate sculpture will provide a stunning backdrop for more formal tulip displays in geometric patterns. Over on Pergola Walk, tulips of every hue have been allowed to mix and float together to form a colourful coat that Joseph himself would envy.

Over 3,500 Apeldoorn Elite tulips, in a striking crimson and bright yellow, will bloom around the walls of the famous Castle interplanted with thousands of wallflowers ‘Fire King’ and ‘Golden Bedder’.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,600 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

Neil says: “Gardeners really enjoy the National Garden Scheme open days – there’s nothing better than mooching around gardens that are only open once or twice a year, it’s a special programme.”

Please note that entrance to the gardens is not free on the National Garden Scheme open day. Usual admission prices apply.

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