Garden conservation

It takes more than just gardening to care for some of the UK's most important gardens. Behind the scenes our experts provide the specialist conservation skills needed for the long-term future of these special places

Walled Garden
Summer highlights
Tall lush foliage and exotic blooms frame a statue overlooking the pond inside the Orangery at Belton House, Lincolnshire

A history of glasshouses, orangeries and potting sheds 

From the 17th-century orangery at Ham House in Surrey to the 1920s greenhouse at Mr Straw's House in Nottinghamshire, the desire to grow plants all year round is an integral part of our horticultural history. Uncover the fascinating story of these garden structures at our places.

Discover our horticultural history
Bucketfuls of freshly cut flowers, captured in the early morning light, waiting to be taken up to the house for arranging

Looking after Tyntesfield in summer 

Enjoy the beautiful summer garden at Tyntesfield in Somerset, a remarkable Victorian estate, little changed in 150 years. Follow the garden team behind-the-scenes through the summer season.

Mottisfont rose garden in June, with Rosa 'Adélaïde d'Orléans' clambering over arches.

Graham Thomas: the man who saved our gardens 

Discover the life of Graham Thomas, the man who saved and restored many National Trust gardens and created one of the most celebrated rose gardens in the world.

The dahlia beds in the walled garden at The Vyne, Hampshire

Delightful dahlias 

From pompon to cactus, learn about the dazzling dahlia displays that bring some early autumn colour to gardens around the country.

Discover a riot of colour
Geese on water with the Palladian Bridge in the background at Stowe

Our most famous gardens 

We care for hundreds of amazing gardens, but these are the jewels in our crown. Find out why they're so well known.

Discover our most famous gardens
Conservation in action
The afternoon sun setting above North Wing as Delos captures the final day’s rays

Sissinghurst Castle Garden unveils Delos garden 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent has unveiled a Greece-inspired garden, ‘Delos’, completing a planting scheme first envisioned by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson more than 85 years ago. The garden, created in partnership with landscape designer Dan Pearson, was the culmination of a seven-year renewal project at the world renowned garden.

Learn more about the garden
Himalayan blue poppies (Meconopsis betonicifolia) growing in the walled garden at Rowallane

Plant conservation 

Just as grand buildings and stunning collections can tell the tales of changing tastes and the rise (and fall) of fortunes, so too can the exotic plants in their gardens. With more than 200 gardens to look after, discover how we ensure their beauty lasts forever, for everyone.

Honey bee feeding on a dahlia flower

Help protect pollinators 

Bees play a vital role in the natural world around us but they're under threat. By donating to support nature and wildlife at the places in our care, you'll be helping to protect these pollinators and the green spaces they call home. Now more than ever, we need your help to look after the nature and wildlife we all find comfort in.

Great women gardeners

Women gardeners harvesting chard in the kitchen garden at Knightshayes

Meet five inspirational women gardeners 

From gardening apprentices learning the ropes to plant 'detectives' painstakingly identifying unknown varieties, meet five of the inspirational women gardeners helping to keep history alive at the places we look after.

Oil painting on canvas, Victoria (Vita) Mary Sackville-West, Lady Nicolson (1892-1962) by Philip Alexius de László de Lombos

Great women gardeners 

Journey through the gardens of time and discover seven of history's most inspirational women gardeners and garden designers. Explore the influence of these visionary horticultural pioneers, such as Lady Londonderry and Vita Sackville-West, on our most celebrated gardens.

Visitors in the garden at Wallington

We couldn't do it without you

Thanks to you, we're able to protect our glorious gardens for ever, for everyone