Daffodils

^{Image credit: ©National Trust Images/Jo Whitworth}

Swathes of daffodils fill the walled garden and woods around Acorn Bank in spring, the legacy of Dorothy Una Ratcliffe who gave Acorn Bank to the National Trust in 1950. A wealthy socialite, prolific writer and keen gardener, Dorothy planted thousands of bulbs in the 1930s, including some of the earliest varieties such as ‘Telamonius Plenus’, a double daffodil dating to the 17th century. She was so fond of the flower that she asked friends to remember her as the ‘lady of a million daffodils’. From early April through to May, the garden feels as though it's honouring Dorothy’s memory with a sea of flowers.

Acorn Bank, Cumbria

^{Image credit: ©National Trust Images/Carole Drake}

Cotehele is home to the most significant collection of historic daffodils in the National Trust and one of the most important nationally. Varieties such as ‘Coverack Pride’, ‘Saint Issey’ and ‘Scilly White’ reflect their Cornish heritage, while ‘Van Sion’, ‘Orange Phoenix’ and 'Grand Soleil d’Or’ are some of the oldest daffodils recorded. A restored packing shed where daffodil growers once prepared flowers to be sent ‘up country’, tells the story of the enduring influence of daffodils on the Tamar valley landscape.

Cotehele, Cornwall

Along Saltram’s long Lime Avenue a significant collection of old Tamar valley daffodils flower each spring. They were probably planted for the 3rd Earl of Morley and his head gardener exhibited prize winning blooms at the Devon Daffodil and Spring Society shows in the early decades of the 20th century. Over 120 historic varieties have been identified and mapped and an additional 4,000 bulbs planted to create an impressive display of heirloom daffodils with a close connection to Plymouth's Tamar valley heritage.

Saltram, Devon