RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Head Gardener's Comment

Enjoy some of the best horticulture in Yorkshire, 364 days a year, at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate. The 58 acre garden has many seasonal highlights including the UK’s longest streamside garden, woodland, wildflower meadows, perennial borders and kitchen garden. Spend a spontaneous morning visit enjoying the best of the season and gathering planting tips. Or make a day of it with friends or family.

• Have a coffee or lunch in the famous Bettys Café and Tearoom

• Find inspiration for your garden at home from Harlow Carr’s planting schemes

• A great day out with the grandchildren

• Workshops are run throughout the year, learn new skills such as willow weaving

• A garden of surprises from sculpture to inspirational planting

• Varied landscapes including: woodland, streamside and wildflower meadows

• Over 18,000 taxa, including rare species such as Davidia, Oxydendrum and Stewartia, and some of the latest modern cultivars.

• Extensive alpine collection

• Excellent displays of Rhododendrons and Camellias in the woodland

• Fantastic bookshop

On site facilities include the famous Bettys tearoom, picturesque seating spots throughout the garden, wildlife hides and children’s activities during school holidays. The Plant Centre at Harlow Carr stocks some of the latest new plants, as well as fruits trees and mature shrubs.

Throughout the year Harlow Carr runs many workshops and courses, and hosts specialist plant society shows and fairs, so there is plenty to expand your knowledge and provide take home inspiration. There is even an on-site Garden Library for those who wish to delve deeper.

History

In 2001 the RHS merged with the Northern Horticultural Society (NHS). As part of the merger the RHS aquired Harlow Carr Garden in North Yorkshire. The NHS was founded in 1946, and Harlow Carr opened in 1950. In the 19th century, following the discovery of sulphurous springs, a Bath House had been built on the site. The NHS converted this building into a Study Centre and Library, which is still used today. The garden has been the setting for a series of model gardens representing different styles in garden history built as part of the BBC TV series "Gardens through Time" in 2004.

Plants of Note

Perennial & Mixed Borders

Grasses & Mediterranean Borders

Woodland

Wildflower Meadow and Arboretum

Rock Gardens and Alpines

Scented Gardens

Foliage Gardens

Rose Border

Kitchen Gardens