On my Welsh escapade last week, when not tromping across the mountains, I managed to fit in a visit to the renowned Bodnant Garden in the idyllic Conwy Valley. (The photo, left, shows just one small part, the Pin Mill and Lily Pond).

The 'backyard' of the Aberconwy family, it’s a masterpiece of landscaping and design. Laid out in 1875 by Henry Davis Ponchin, there are dramatic terraces and formal ponds careering down the slope towards a steep wooded valley studded with acid-loving plants.

The famous laburmum arch (right) was unfortunately not yet in flower, but would look glorious over the next month.

One of the things I really like about the garden is that almost all the plants are labelled, which is always a huge help. For this we can thank Lord Aberconwy, the great-grandson of Henry, who was President of the Royal Horticultural Society for years and years.

Lord Aberconwy clearly had style - how can you not admire a man who it is said walked his grounds in knickerbockers, accompanied by the head gardener Mr Puddle, and a butler. I might try it.

I’m sure there is much to learn at Bodnant about the wildlife that uses gardens, but on the day I went, I could find almost nothing to report! There weren’t huge numbers of birds, nor bees, and not a single butterfly. I expected bumblebees to be rumbling around the azaleas and rhododendrons, but no.

I don’t think it is an indictment of Bodnant or the way they garden there. Indeed, it may be that much of the wildlife was up in the towering trees.

But it is interesting that the one and only plant I did find covered with nectaring insects was an apple tree in full bloom (left).

It shows how the simplest things can often be the best for wildlife.