The gardens of a historic West Norfolk hall are set to be “transformed” by thousands of tulips this spring.
Houghton Hall has announced its latest event, which is set to take place in April, involving the planting of 25,000 flower bulbs.
Tulips at Houghton has been planned in collaboration with leading bulb specialist Peter Nyssen, andh is set to transform the award-winning five-acre Walled Garden into a spectacular celebration of spring colour.
A taster of tulips at the Houghton Cross last year. Picture: Houghton Hall
Visitors can wander through “avenues of blossom” to enjoy a “rich display of early flowering plants and bulbs”.
The tulip displays have been “carefully designed to complement each distinct area of the walled garden, and will be open to the public for the first time on Saturday, April 10.
Visitors can expect species tulips beneath old fruit trees, bold drifts of later-flowering varieties in borders and walkways, and numerous potted displays throughout the garden.
A total of 25,000 tulips are set to be planted at Houghton Hall
The walled garden was created in 1991 by Lord Cholmondeley, who lives at Houghton with his family, as a memorial to his grandmother, Sybil, Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Peter Nyssen to bring this event to life,” Lady Cholmondeley said.
“The walled garden provides a wonderful setting for spring flowers, and we hope Tulips at Houghton will delight and inspire our visitors.”
Designed with Paul Underwood, then head gardener at Houghton, with later additions by celebrated garden designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman, it is renowned for its “blend of structure, imagination and horticultural excellence”.
The garden has won the Historic Houses and Christie’s Garden of the Year Award and featured on Monty Don’s British Gardens.
A highlight promised at Tulips at Houghton will be the first public presentation of three new sculptures by British artist Antony Gormley RA.
Domain CXI, Domain CXII and Domain CXIII—abstract, human-shaped forms constructed from stainless steel bars—will sit on top of the garden wall.
“Tulips at Houghton will include some of our very finest tulips, selected by Lady Cholmondeley and the garden team with guidance from us,” Stephen Teeuw, marketing manager at Peter Nyssen, said.
“This will be an exciting experience for garden lovers and visitors to North Norfolk, and a unique opportunity to see tulips in such a beautiful historic setting. Get your cameras ready.”
Once open, displays are expected to continue until early May, subject to seasonal conditions.
Tickets priced at £14 per person on the gate and £12 by booking in advance online. The event is free for anyone under the age of 18.
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