Blenheim in Bloom: Dreaming Spires roses and wonderwall of wisteria burst into colour with stunning display at historic stately home where Winston Churchill was born
by Nick Enoch for MailOnline- Small team of gardeners still tending to formal gardens and 2,000 acres of parkland during covid lockdown
- Dreaming Spires are growing up walls of the orangery at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, Oxfordshire
- Rain in early Feb followed by sunshine and warm weather may mean bumper year for Blenheim's 4,000 roses
- The site has been home to Dukes of Marlborough since 1704; Winston Churchill was born there in 1874
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
One of Britain's most famous stately homes is expecting a bumper year for its stunning roses with some already in full bloom.
Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, is currently closed to visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic - so this might be the only chance to see some of their stunning floral displays.
A reduced team is tending to the formal gardens and 2,000 acres of Capability Brown-landscaped parkland, in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
Already in full bloom is a spectacular climbing rose called Dreaming Spires, which grows up the walls of the Palace's orangery, and its wonderwall of wisteria also looks incredible.
Blenheim's head of gardens, Hilary Wood, said the early rain in February, followed by prolonged periods of sunshine and warm weather mean it could be a bumper year for its 4,000 roses.
She said: 'Last season was particularly good for roses and I think this season may follow suit. Dreaming Spires is a lovely climber which produces neat clusters of beautiful blooms with a lovely scent.
'The wisteria is such a beautiful plant and this particular variety with its purple blue shade is definitely one of my favourites.
'It blooms throughout May and June and careful pruning is essential - firstly to keep it under control and secondly to ensure it blooms to its full potential.
'It's an absolute sun worshipper and thrives on the warm walls of the orangery.'
The Dreaming Spires rose, which was planted at the palace in the 1980s, is one of more than 20 different varieties grown there.
Despite being closed, the gardening team are working hard to ensure the floral displays are looking their best for when they are able to welcome the public back.
The Oxfordshire estate, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1704 and Winston Churchill was born there in 1874.
His father described the vista on entering the estate from the village of Woodstock as 'the finest view in England'.
Beautiful Blenheim: The princely dwelling which was regarded as having the 'finest view in England'
Built between 1705 and 1722, Blenheim Palace is steeped in history.
Designed by John Vanbrugh, it was presented by the English nation to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his victory in 1704 over French and Bavarian troops at the Battle of Blenheim - in Bavaria - during the War of the Spanish Succession.
It has been entertaining monarchs and foreign leaders for centuries and still attracts about 500,000 visitors every year.
The palace is best known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born there in 1874 and proposed to his wife Clementine at the site.
He is buried at St Martin's Church in Bladon, on the edge of the estate.
The garden at Blenheim is one of the most historically significant landscapes of Capability Brown, created at what is widely regarded as the pinnacle of his career.
In 1874, when Sir Winston's father Lord Randolph Churchill saw the stunning landscape for the first time, he declared it to be 'the finest view in England'.
Its grandeur registered even with Hitler. According to wartime lore, he planned to move in after invading England and ordered the Luftwaffe not to bomb it. Blenheim is the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace.