As the days get longer and the sunshine starts to make an appearance (wahoo!), it's time to step outside into Hertfordshire's glorious gardens to enjoy the colours and scents of nature. Painting our beautiful countryside and parks a wonderful array of vibrant colours, we can't wait to start spotting those stunning spring flowers so as you read on below you'll discover our suggestions on where you can enjoy your favourite seasonal blooms in Herts - as well as where to get some blooms of your own.
Are you as excited as us at the prospect of spotting spring flowers? Please do share your photos with us on Twitter and Instagram by tagging @VisitHertsUK or using the tag #VisitHerts.
Where to Find the Elusive Snowdrop - February and March
Hiding under the snow and slowly making an appearance the snowdrops are awakening, bringing some much-needed colour to our countryside. With many places in Hertfordshire for you to spot them we have put together our top places to discover them.
Darling Daffodils - March
Along with the warmer weather, March brings the beautiful sight of daffodils decorating the Hertfordshire countryside with vibrant shades of yellow. With the flowers appearing in the most unexpected places it’s hard to pick our top spots, but we love wandering around Cassiobury Park in Watford with its 190 acres of open space. Equally, the National Trust's Shaw's Corner opens back up at the end of March and will be awash with daffodils to admire. Plus the wider village of Ayot St Lawrence is rather picturesque especially come spring if we do say so ourselves!
(C) Eleanor Bentall
Charming Crocuses and Much More - March
Explore the beautiful 1,000 acre River Lee Country Park this spring and discover a full array of flowers. From March, a walk through the grounds will reveal a spray of pretty purple and white crocuses dotted around the park, but be sure to make a return visit, as these are soon followed by daffodils and camassias!
© Graham Custance
Beautiful Bluebells - April
From April onward you may be able to spot a bluebell or two. After spending most of the year hiding away as bulbs, these beautiful flowers start blooming during the warmer weather. WIth gorgeous sweeping grounds and a Jacobean mansion at its heart, check out the lovely Hatfield House for fields of purple and blue.
Timeless Tulips - April and May
If you're seeking out tulips this spring, why not spend an afternoon wandering around the magnificent Chenies Manor House? With thousands of bulbs planted, the grounds offer an impressive display of these beautiful blooms, which they are known for.
Marvellous Magnolias - April
St Paul's Walden Bury is a Grade I listed garden that retains it's original 18th century form, complete with ornate temples, statues and ponds. There are seasonal displays of all kinds of flowers, but the full flowered magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas in April and May are really something to marvel at.
Lovely Lavender - May
As the afternoons grow longer and the days heat up, it will soon be the time of year when the surrounding countryside blooms with the vibrant purple and incredible scent of the Hitchin Lavender. With 25 miles of lavender rows to walk through and pick your own fresh flowers, it's the ultimate way to enjoy a naturally relaxing afternoon.
The Hertfordshire Garden Show
Spend the day exploring the colourful gardens at Knebworth House from the 4th May to 6th May 2024 and visit the vibrant Hertfordshire Garden Show at no additional charge. If you've been to Knebworth House before, you'll no doubt have taken some inspiration from the beauty of them, so with the variety of goods on display from the plentiful flowers to trees right through to the must have garden furniture for summer and the big ticket items such as hot tubs.
Our Very Own Garden City!
How could we mention spring flowers without mentioning the world’s first Garden City? The beautiful Letchworth Garden City has plenty of open green space and lots of spring flowers for you to discover and enjoy. Why not take a stroll through Howard Park, or picnic among the flowers at Norton Common?
Bring your own garden to life
With all of the above inspiring a trip to Hertfordshire's wonderful countryside, you might be thinking how to bring your own garden or outdoor space to life - so here's our picks of the best nurseries around!
Firstly, Aylett Nurseries' (who also have their Celebration Garden) is an all-year round winner. Then we have the treasure trove which is more than just for flowers and includes the likes of a marketplace food hall - Van Hage in Great Amwell.