The 32 hectare garden at Bodnant is one of the finest in the world, situated above the River Conwy and looking across the valley towards the Snowdon range. There are dramatic colours throughout the season, with fine collections of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias in early spring, and the spectacular laburnum arch, a 55yd tunnel of golden blooms from mid-May to early June. Herbaceous borders, roses, hydrangeas, water lilies and clematis delight throughout the summer, with superb autumn colours during October. The garden is in two parts. The upper part around the house consists of the Terrace Gardens as well as informal lawns shaded by trees. The lower portion, known as ‘The Dell’, is formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn and contains the pinetum and wooded valley, stream and wild garden below. In March and April masses of daffodils and other spring bulbs make a very colourful display. Pride of place amongst the shrubs is held by rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, which flower from March until the end of June. The famous laburnum arch, embothriums and many of the azaleas are at their best at the end of May/early June. In summer the Terrace Gardens are very colourful with herbaceous borders, roses, water lilies, clematis and unusual wall shrubs and climbers. Eucryphias and hydrangeas are a special feature. National Collections of Embothrium, Eucryphia, Magnolia (spp.) and Rhododendron forrestii. Also Bodnant’s own special rare Bodnant hybrid Rhododendrons is recognised as a National Collection. Some of these rhododendrons are so rare there are no other examples any where in the world.