Colourful tulips, hyacinths, wisteria and daffodils have made a remarkable display across England after a short period of hot weather followed by a cold snap created excellent conditions for spring blooms.
There were record temperatures last week in many parts of the UK as the country recorded one of the hottest April days in the last 80 years.
A high of 26.5C (79.7F) was recorded in Kew Gardens, south-west London, on Wednesday, the Met Office said. It was the hottest day recorded in the first half of April since 1946, according to the forecaster. London was hotter than many popular holiday destinations including Ibiza, Rome and Marrakech.
Then, there was a sudden drop in temperatures by as much as 10C. This created the ideal conditions for spectacular spring blooms, gardeners have said.
Tim Upson, the director of gardens and horticulture at the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “Throughout spring it is typical to experience episodes of warmer and cooler weather accelerating and decelerating plants’ development across the UK. Spring has arrived notably early in the south this year, with RHS Garden Wisley seeing cherry blossom and magnolias and our celebration of tulips in full flower at least two weeks ahead of usual, giving way to the camassia and rhododendrons which are starting to bloom and will be at their best in the coming weeks.
“In contrast, signs of spring are only just beginning to emerge in our northern gardens at RHS Garden Harlow Carr and RHS Garden Bridgewater, where the temperatures have remained cooler, slowing the season’s progress. As we move into late spring at RHS Garden Wisley in the south, the north is just heading into early spring giving those willing to travel a second chance to enjoy one of the UK’s most-loved seasons at its peak.”
British bluebells at Little Wix Wood at Hatchlands Park near Guildford on Saturday. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock
Horticulturalists are getting ready for the spring and summer flower shows that are to be held across the country, with Chelsea flower show the most famous one. Gardeners are said to have been very concerned that the flowers in nurseries being grown for the shows may be coming out early, and be spent by the time the show comes around.
However, the colder weather has slowed this down a little, meaning prize blooms should be safe for the show.
David Bouch, the head gardener at the National Trust’s Cotehele in Cornwall, which is home to 12 acres of orchards, told the Guardian: “Last week’s record‑breaking temperatures were a short but welcome change, but things have since turned much chillier again. Thankfully, it hasn’t been cold enough for damaging frosts, which can bring flowering to an abrupt end. After the record warmth many places enjoyed last week, these cooler days will slow the progress of the blossom, helping to ensure a longer‑lasting display so we can enjoy it for a little while longer.
A bee pollinates a cherry tree in London on 9 April. Photograph: Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
“The current displays are a real joy to behold, with a wide variety of plants all blooming at once – from bluebells and daffodils to the many different blossoms across the gardens. We’re starting to plant out some of our annuals now, keeping our fingers crossed that we don’t get any late frosts.”
The blooms have come just in time for the Spring Fling plant fair at Great Comp Garden in Kent this Sunday.
William Dyson, the curator at the seven-acre garden, said: We are at least four weeks ahead of ourselves this year in the garden. The snowdrops were all in bloom ahead of time, followed by the daffodils waking up earlier than expected, and our magnificent display of magnolias, which we are rightfully famous for, have been blooming for the last couple of weeks.
“There was a point where I was wondering whether the magnolias would be finished, and the tulips too, if the heat from last week had carried on! Thankfully, Mother Nature has stepped in. It felt like 3C over the weekend, which has had the effect of freeze-framing the wonderful display of colour that we currently have.”