Back when we lived within striking distance of Kent my favourite time of the year to visit Sissinghurst was late April when the ferns in the nuttery were at almost full throttle and the strength of their bright green was still a novelty. You can keep your white garden and the lime walk – the thrusting promise of shuttlecock ferns is always the way to go.
The best display of these plants in the Marches is at Hergest Croft just outside Kington – see below, underplanted with bluebells.
Because we have been frost free for much of spring I can even appreciate their camellias – normally bruised and battered by the slightest significant drop in temperature this year the perfect symmetry of their flowers has been preserved. I’ve no intention of growing any but they’re an amazing sight.
