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

Girl walking through spring flowers in the garden at Tyntesfield
A sea of delicate daffodils cover areas of the main lawn at Nymans in Sussex in late April

The story of daffodils 

From Wordsworth’s golden daffodils in Cumbria to the cut-flower industry in Cornwall, daffodils are woven into the stories of many National Trust places. Explore the history and fascinating stories behind our favourite spring flower, the daffodil.

Discovering daffodils
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.

Protecting our horticultural heritage
A group of women exploring a spring garden. Three are walking, one is using a motorised wheelchair.

Our gardens in spring 

The hard work of our gardeners really pays off as spring arrives and the gardens jump to life with colourful tulips and buds of delicate blossom. We've selected some of the very best places for you to enjoy the delights of spring.

Colourful spring bedding on the top terrace

Looking after Tyntesfield in spring 

Wake up from winter and discover spring in the beautiful gardens at Tyntesfield in Somerset; a remarkable Victorian estate, little changed in 150 years. Follow the garden team as they show you behind-the-scenes over the course of a gardening year.

Conservation in action
Bumblebee nectaring on pink cherry blossom

Give back to nature 

More than ever before, nature has been our source of comfort during difficult times. But climate change is accelerating the decline of these green spaces. Nature gives us so much, donate today and help us protect these precious places and the wildlife that live there.

Donate now

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.

Plants and gardens through time

Orchard House at Cragside

Gardens through the ages 

Learn about medieval, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian and 20th-century gardens, and where to see our finest examples.

Aerial view of Petworth

How to spot a Capability Brown landscape 

Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown had a natural talent for designing gardens and landscapes that fitted in seamlessly with the surrounding countryside, looking completely natural to the unsuspecting eye. So after hundreds of years, how do you distinguish between a natural landscape and one designed by one of the greatest gardeners of all time?

Visitors in the garden at Wallington
Thank you

We couldn't do it without you

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