Happy St David’s day!

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus! From Betley Court

The daffodil is such a herald of spring, as well as being the national flower of Wales. I often think of the daffodils as popping up like old friends around Betley Court. The little Tête-à-têtes are amongst the earliest, a first dash of colour along the wall at the front and in our container planters.

A photo from 2020, the spring after the fire. I must remember to re-do this photo with the roof rebuilt! (photo: Su Hurrell/Ladybird Su

There are hundreds of daffodils in the gardens at Betley Court and they are a joyous sight at this time of year.  Daffodils became very popular in the Victorian era, a popularity fuelled by the work of plant breeders like The Rev. George Herbert Engleheart (1851-1936), and Peter Barr (1826-1909), the Daffodil King of Tooting. The coming of the railways also helped spread the availability of these plants to gardeners all over the country. 

Narcissus 'Barrii' - possibly? (photo: Su Hurrell/Ladybird Su)

Clearly the previous owners of Betley Court valued daffodils as they cover a large area, particularly around the gazebo and long path. Thomas Fletcher-Twemlow (1816-1894) even created a dedicated flower room as part of the southern wing extension, built in 1870, showing the status flowers and creating flower arrangements held within the household during this period. I've found a photograph of a modern version of a flower room, with plenty of worktop space, a large sink, and storage for dozens of vases. Proportion-wise it is very similar to the former flower room, and it will give you some idea of how they were used.

A modern version of a flower room. Note the baskets and vases, plenty of workspace, and a large sink. Quite the luxury! (photo from a defunked website, blueandwhitehome.blog)

We attempted to identify some of our daffs a few years ago, and we were surprised to find we might have five of the six daffodils most associated with Peter Barr, a lovely thought!

We’ve timed our next open gardens events for late March and are keeping our fingers crossed that our daffodils will be at their peak on the 23/24^th March and that the sun shines. It's a chance to see a garden at the begining of its revival. We have two events on both days:

Daffodil Talk & Walk 1pm - 5pm (talk & walk ~ 1hr)

At 1pm, we will be hosting a daffodil ‘talk & walk’ around our daffodil collection. Nigel and I will be sharing stories about daffodils, along with some of the developments in the garden.  Complementary hot drinks and biscuits available in the visitors’ hub afterwards (£7.50 pp +booking fee)

Open Garden 3pm - 5pm

At 3pm, we will be opening the gates for an open garden. Visitors will be free to roam the gardens until gates close around 5pm. Well behaved dogs on leads are most welcome. Complementary hot drinks and biscuits available in the visitors’ hub afterwards (£5 pp + booking fee, under 15s free) or pay on the gate

Tickets and further information can be found on our website:

www.betleycourtgardens.co.uk/events

Hope to see you then!

All best wishes

Ladybird Su