The Laskett in Herefordshire, one of Perennial’s gardens, is opening to the public.
Until now, the garden has been limited to private group viewings. However, for the first time anyone can book online to enjoy the garden on 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th to 11th April to enjoy their Celebration of Tulips, followed by opening every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of October.
One of Britain’s great autobiographical gardens, The Laskett, was created in celebration of the arts by Sir Roy Strong CH and his late wife Julia Trevelyan Oman CBE. Set in the idyllic countryside of Herefordshire on the Welsh borders, The gardens – created from a bare field – were begun in 1974 and have continued to evolve ever since. They are the creative fruit of a happy marriage between two people who were at the centre of the arts for much of the latter half of the twentieth century. In 2021, Sir Roy generously gifted the garden to Perennial, the charity providing free, confidential support, advice and information to all those in the UK who work, or have worked with, plants, trees, grass and flowers.
Find space in your diary this spring for its Celebration of Tulips featuring original and new varieties.
Over 20,000 tulips have been planted across the gardens. Some of the varieties were historically planted by Sir Roy and Julia but many more have also been planted, chosen by the garden team. This even goes as far as Tulip Jimmy in honour of the Senior Gardener and Tulip Wyndham for the Garden Manager.
Perennial Chief Executive Peter Newman says: “Spring is such a fabulous time of year at our gardens, and the display of tulips at The Laskett is not to be missed. There have always been many varieties of tulips on display in the garden and this year is no exception. Our garden team, made up of mainly volunteers, has planted thousands of bulbs during the winter months to ensure a colourful and diverse display.”
The Gardens are open to pre-booked visitors during the Celebration of Tulips event and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 13 April to 31 October 2023, 10:30am and 2pm. Admission is £12 per person and includes a beautifully illustrated plan and use of an audio guide narrated by Sir Roy Strong CH.
For those who would like to visit regularly, free entry is available to the Laskett and Perennial’s other gardens through a Friends of Perennial membership at £30 per year.
Book your visit this spring at thelaskett.org.uk and find out more about the work of Perennial.