Furzey Gardens was originally planted in the early 1920s.

Some of the beautiful and rare plants here were discovered and brought back from exotic places by the plant hunters of the early 20th century, who risked their lives searching for new specimens in areas of India, China and Tibet.

The gardens were first opened to the public in 1930.  They were filled with a vast array of different varieties, including camellias, rhododendrons, azeleas, cornus, daphne and vaccinium.

Several of these early introductions still exist at Furzey Gardens today including the large Rhododendron Macabenum, Erica x darleyensis ‘Furzey’ – recognised worldwide as one of the best winter flowering heathers, Narcissus ‘Bartley’ one of the early varieties bred using the miniature species N.cyclamineus, Primula pulverulenta ‘Bartley’ and Camellia x williamsii ‘Bartley Number Five’.

Today the gardens are well known for their dazzling spring displays of rhododendron, azalea, camelia and magnolia. Planting over recent years has ensured that there is plenty to enjoy throughout the year including beautiful displays of autumn colour from Maples, Liquidamber and Sorbus.

Read our Head Gardener’s monthly blog and our ‘What to see this month’ feature.

Find out more about our interesting plant collection with our plants of interest pages:

 

Accessibility Tools