Coronavirus: National Trust Bodnant Garden to reopen

Parts of Bodnant Garden have become overgrown during lockdown

For many of us, lockdown has meant the chance to devote plenty of time so our gardens can look their best.

But spare a thought for those trying to keep Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley in tip-top shape.

For the past three months, just four gardeners have been trying to juggle the work normally done by 26 at the National Trust-owned 80 acre site.

General manager William Greenwood said: "We have looked after things that are rare and precious."

He added: "We've concentrated on the areas that are going to deteriorate fastest. We've concentrated on the more formal areas of the garden."

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Lawns have thrived as visitors' feet disappeared, he said, while foxes and kingfishers have become a common sight.

Staff have been working to return what they can to normal

During the lockdown, footpaths have been left unswept and a tree and shrub-lined valley called The Dell was largely untouched.

Borders and paths show signs of nature reclaiming a normally manicured garden.

"Normally this would be a mown lawn, dropping down to the river," Mr Greenwood said.

"We've turned it into a wildflower meadow for this year, but it's something that can recover really easily."

There are fewer gardeners as many have been furloughed

Bodnant plans to reopen on 6 July, but daily numbers will be limited to 400 where on a good day more than 3,000 might normally be expected.

It is hoped once visitors return, furloughed staff will be able to come back and all gardens can be returned to normal.

Only 400 a day will be allowed in when the gardens reopen - some days it could normally expect 3,000

"To get it back to that really crisp, formal side - I think it's a bit like having a haircut," Mr Greenwood said.

"We're all a bit shaggy at the moment but it will take a few months.

"Once we get all the gardeners back in place, up to about six months, next spring, it'll be looking good."