A ‘host of golden daffodils’ can be enjoyed at Cliveden from now through March and April.

The National Trust gardeners have added a further 57 varieties of narcissus this year to the 20-plus varieties already established throughout the grounds. Tens of thousands of daffodils will provide carpets of colour and interest throughout the coming weeks as varieties flower at different times, growing wild on sunny slopes or planted in more formal beds.

Bucks Free Press:

Cliveden head gardener Anthony Mason

Bucks Free Press:

Cliveden head gardener Anthony Mason

The Trust calls this time The Gilded Gardens to reflect the gold leaf gilded gates of the Sounding Chambers in the South Terrace, where 60 exquisite and unusual narcissus varieties will be displayed in pots on tiered stands.

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There’s much more going on in Cliveden’s gardens these days, with a major restoration of the Water Garden under way.

Head Gardener Anthony Mason explains: “The Water Garden was first developed by Cliveden’s owner William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th century. It was all about entertaining guests, with ice-skating on the lake, the giant maze close by and space to chip a golf ball around. Ice-skating didn’t work - it was rarely cold enough - but soon he added oriental features which were very much in fashion.”

The highlight of Lord Astor’s Water Garden, then and now, was the six-sided Chinese pagoda. He added a flowing stream, rocks and stepping stones for the oriental theme.

The Water Garden is still a favourite spot, with its fountains, walkways, waterlilies and exceptional year-round plant interest, especially the spring blossom just beginning to appear.

Last year the pagoda was restored and repainted, its gold trim now glinting in the sunshine. Later this year the ponds will be desilted and the Astors’ concrete liming repaired and scrubbed. New varieties of waterlilies will be added, and the surrounding beds refreshed. Mediterranean plants will be removed so that the planting can return to the original oriental theme.

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“At the National Trust we are led by conservation management plans,” Anthony adds, “and our team have been researching the archives so that any restoration work can protect what we call the ‘spirit of place’. At the same time, the garden has to be fit for purpose, including being aware of a warming climate affecting our choice of traditional planting.”

Another current project is the Green Drive, a well-used path alongside the Water Garden. This was full of invasive species such as rhododendron ponticum. These have been dug up, good soil added, and replanting will take place later this year with attractive plants for every season.

In this area as with other popular spots, including the Long Garden and the Parterre, the team are always looking back at Cliveden’s illustrious history as they consider future planting schemes. “I’m very much the custodian of this historic garden for future generations,” Anthony adds. “It will be here for many years to come.”