10 Gardens in South Wales That You Shouldn't Miss

Usk in Bloom was formed in 1981 by a group of enthusiasts. Since then, its imaginative, ongoing planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, seasonal bulbs and floral displays around the town, coupled with its environmental and educational work, and deep community involvement, have won many national and international awards. Thousands of visitors come to see its spectacle every year. The whole town is Usk in Bloom's showcase. Whether you explore the streets admiring the variety of neighbourhood gardens, stroll around the brilliance of the ever-changing displays and the natural beauty of the wildflower beds and areas, or sit and drink in the view, every corner has some spectacle or detail to admire and savour. You can spend an hour or an afternoon enjoying Usk in Bloom, and leave refreshed and uplifted.

Dewstow Gardens are Grottoes are recently discovered gardens built in the 1890's. buried in the 1950's and rediscovered and escavated in 2000. We are now open for the summer months and welcome visitors of all ages including pre-booked coach parties. Please check out our website for further details.

Magnificent Edwardian gardens flowing from grand vistas to intimate spaces overlooked by a large mansion Dyffryn Gardens are an exceptional example of Edwardian garden design. Covering more than 55 acres they feature a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms including a rose garden, Pompeian garden and several ponds. The enormous great lawn is bordered by seasonal bedding and a croquet lawn. There is also a large glasshouse, statuary collection, and arboretum featuring trees from all over the world. Designed by eminent landscape architect Thomas Mawson in 1906, the gardens are the early 20th-century vision of coal magnate John Cory and his son Reginald. Within the gardens, Dyffryn House, a grand Victorian mansion overlooks the key aspects of the gardens. Parts of the ground and first floors have been restored and are unfurnished.

TOUCHWOOD AQUILEGIA GARDEN is an intimate, exuberant plantsman’s garden, most items grown from seed. If you like aquilegias (granny's bonnets / columbines) then this is THE place to visit. Currently (2013) there are only 2 National Plant Collections of aquilegia, and BOTH are at Touchwood! Aquilegias have been popular garden plants for many centuries. It has always been the unusual colours and the double forms that are most sought after. There are very many species available, and my collection grows yearly. The 1st National Collection comprises cultivars of the commonest type grown here, our British native wildflower: Aquilegia vulgaris. Plant Heritage recognised the SECOND collection for full National Plant Collection status in 2009. These 'aquilegia hybrids' are mainly amazing doubles with yellow in them that Carrie Thomas is breeding at Touchwood.YOU WON'T SEE AQUILEGIAS LIKE THESE ANYWHERE ELSE!!The aquilegia season varies depending on the seasonal weather, it may be as early as the start of May or as late as Whitsun Bank holiday, and lasts for about 6-8 weeks (as the doubles with yellow, and the large long-spurred hybrids flower a little later (but overlapping)). End of the season is late June. Do email to enquire what's flowering when you're nearby.There are not only aquilegias there! Carrie is a plantaholic who gardens in the cottage style in order to cram more plants into a small area! Keen on traditional cottage garden favourites, she also has many unusual and rare plants, mainly grown from seed. There is an abundance of climbers, herbaceous perennials, annuals, biennials, bulbs, herbs, and vegetables, with shrubs, ferns and grasses. Containers (mainly alpines) and archways increase the available growing space. OPENING TIMES: By appointment, almost any time, during the aquilegia season... please email (see website, I usually log on early morning and evenings) (or ring, but I Don't get to the phone in the busy times!)) to choose a convenient date and time. Also open days, usually each weekend and Bank Holiday during the Aquilegia season.Plants & seeds for sale at the garden, and by post.