Day trips and stays for horticulturalists here and abroad …
For magnolias: Make a beeline for Mount Congreve Gardens, Co Waterford where its show-stopping magnolias are in full bloom. A must-do is the Herman Dool Magnolia Walk, renamed after the former head gardener and renowned plantsman, featuring over 250 varieties of magnolias which rival even those found in their native Himalayan habitats. Newly opened is an exhibition honouring Dool’s life and legacy. He worked alongside former owner Ambrose Congreve, helping to plan the garden defined by its structure, seasonality and impressive collections. Visitors can also take in a new Gardens & Grandeur tour, part of which grants access to the gorgeous Chinese Room with its historic wallpaper.
Stay: There’s no shortage of (pet-friendly) places to stay in the vicinity. Ardmore Glamping Pods and countryside-chic Comeragh Pods offer cosy, under-the-stars escapes. I recommend one of Mount Congreve’s pretty self-catering Garden Lodges right beside the famous gardens. Don’t leave without perusing the excellent gift shop on the estate where you’ll find Foxford’s pink Magnolia bedlinen that pays homage to the famous blooms. @mountcongreve
For camellias: The Demesne at Birr Castle, Co Offaly, is well worth a visit at any time of year. In her book Great Gardens of Europe, Eliana Ferioli describes it as “a green jewel of world renown.” For many regular visitors, spring and early summer is a favourite time as blossoms arrive in a riot of pastel colours. In March, the camellia walk bursts into flower (including ‘Camellia yunnanensis’ and ‘Camellia Maud Messel’) alongside acres of daffodils and hellebores. Also showing early signs of flower are the rhododendrons, peony and the lilac, while for those looking for native ground-based plants the demesne has an abundance of wild garlic, wild snowflake and heathers. If visiting, there’s a new 20-minute scenic train journey which winds through the Demesne; tickets cost €5 per person as an add-on to general admission.
Stay: At The Stables, Birr which comprises five guest rooms in an original Georgian town house. It’s beside the main gates of Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre. Guests will also find two walking trails on the doorstep – the Riverbank Walk and Birr Town Trail. For some retail therapy, pop into The Emporium that sells a range of fashion, jewellery, and French and Scandinavian-style furniture. @birr_castle_estate
For bluebells: One of the most lovely sights in Ireland is the extensive bluebell meadows at Ballyfin, Co Laois which bloom from late April to early May. Garden enthusiasts can also enjoy a range of floral-inspired experiences on any stay. These include daily morning walks as the ideal way to work up an appetite for breakfast. Head gardener Kayleigh also leads garden walks and flower arranging sessions using blooms gathered on the estate. Check out the interesting Artist in Residence 2026 programme too. Photographer Amelia Stein will be in residence from March 26 to 29, followed by visual artist Michael Canning in April. @ballyfindemesne
For cherry blossom: March to May is the best time to visit to London, in my opinion, when visitors are surrounded by fabulous florals of every description. Stock up at a deli (such a L’eto in Belgravia) and go to the nearest park for your own “hanami picnic”. There some 3,000 parks in the city – offering more green spaces than any other city in the world. At this time of year, London is awash with cherry blossom, partly due to planting and presents. During the 2019/20 Japanese Cultural Festival, 6,500 new cherry trees were planted all over the UK. London’s Regent’s Park received a gift of 125 beautiful Yoshino cherry trees that now enhance the main avenue. One way to see a large part of these (and get your steps in for the day!) is to take the eleven kilometre Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, taking in three palaces and two mansions that played a pivotal role in her life (including Spencer House and Clarence House).
Stay: At Number Sixteen boutique hotel, one of only a few in the city with its own private garden. On a recent visit, it was a riot of camellia blossoms and bird song with a koi pond and sheltered benches, perfect for borrowing a book from the hotel library or savouring a cocktail from the bar. Part of the Firmdale group, its afternoon tea in the Orangery restaurant is perfect for leisurely morning coffees and elegant treats. @numbersixteenhotel
Japan’s sakura season, from March to April, arrives early along Osaka’s Okawa River where more than 4,800 cherry trees bloom through Kema Sakuranomiya Park, and where visitors from across Japan return each year for riverside hanami.
Stay: At the Imperial Hotel where the blossoms also inspire menus across its multiple restaurants. How about Peking duck finished with sakura powder or a sakura-infused vongole? Guests can book the Osaka Mankitsu Cruise Stay that includes tickets for a leisurely cruise along the Okawa, breakfast and a take home sakura fragrance. Just upriver, Japan Mint’s “Cherry Blossom Passage” opens for one week in early April, showcasing 340 trees across 142 varieties, offering one of the region’s most diverse hanami walks. @imperialhoteljapan
For tulips and hyacinths: The Netherland’s famous Keukenhof reopens now and typically runs until early May. The gardens unfold in meticulously arranged displays and seasonal designs.
Stay: At The Dylan Amsterdam, a chic townhouse in the historic Nine Streets district close to museums and boutiques, only 40 minutes from Keukenhof. The hotel’s Spring Refresh stay includes garden view rooms, Aesop skincare amenities and a tulip-inspired seasonal cocktail. Complimentary bicycles encourage canal side wandering, while private visits to art galleries or tulip growers can be arranged. Also uplifting is “Yellow: Beyond Van Gogh’s Colour” at the Van Gogh Museum, dedicated to his favourite colour, also including his famous Sunflowers painting. @hotelthedylan
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