Gardens Bloom Early Despite Storm Damage

Despite the severe damage caused by Storm Goretti in early January, which uprooted thousands of trees in National Trust gardens across the south-west of England, an early spring bloom is now being observed. At Buckland Abbey in Devon, a magnolia x soulangeana is flowering four weeks earlier than its usual schedule, with many camellias also exhibiting advanced blooming. Head gardener Dave Bouch suggests that mild overnight temperatures, sometimes nearing double digits and aided by heavy cloud cover, are the primary drivers behind these unexpected floral displays. He noted that while a late frost could pose a threat, none is currently anticipated. The traditional spring blooming season is typically brief; however, cooler temperatures can extend these displays for up to three months. Meanwhile, at Knightshayes in Devon, camellias are predominantly flowering, magnolias are budding, and bluebells are emerging early. Senior gardener John Ridgley commented that this trend has been ongoing, exacerbated by the combination of last year's warm, dry summer and a subsequent mild, wet winter, which seems to confuse some plant species into premature or reduced flowering. In Cornwall, Trelissick and Glendurgan have also seen camellias bloom a month early, with some varieties flowering exceptionally soon after the storm. The unusual flowering of buddleja macrostachya, typically expected from July onwards, has also been noted. Gardeners believe a mix of factors, including consistent rain and mild temperatures, are contributing to these phenomena.