Start planning now for arboretums, trees and autumn colour
DIG DEEPER
Autumn is a great time for getting out and seeing the drama of trees change from green to a myriad of reds, oranges and yellows.
Some of the best walks in the West Country are in large arboretums, but smaller places offer a good visit to see the changing season, to make you want to go to a tree nursery and buy some of this colour for your garden.
Westonbirt National Arboretum, three miles from Tetbury in Gloucestershire, is the largest arboretum in the country, and its spectacular autumn colour in the Acer Glade brings visitors flocking in with their cameras.
But there’s plenty of room for everyone in this woodland wonderland created by the Holford family during Victorian times and into the 20th century.
Renowned for the diversity of its collection, heritage and contributions to conservation and climate change, the arboretum is looking to the future with the Westonbirt Project.
The ambitious development plan will enhance visitor facilities, provide new experiences and learning opportunities. Much needed improvements will be carried out to outdated, back- stage buildings.
The project is being led by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, the non-profit organisation which operates alongside the Forestry Commission in the management of Westonbirt.
Further into the Cotswolds, at Blockley near Moreton-in- Marsh, a hidden gem can be found at Batsford Arboretum. Created in the 1880s by Algernon Mitford, the first Lord Redesdale and grandfather of the redoubtable Mitford sisters, the 56 acres around the then newly built mansion had at its heart a collection of Chinese and Japanese trees.
Bamboos were another interest, the areas decorated with bronze statues. Not only a collection of trees, rockeries and water features were added, including a hermit’s cave created by the Pulham brothers and a swampery, a mixture of a bog garden and a stumpery.
Suppliers of quality ornamental and forestry trees.
Tel. 01794 390808 Fax. 01794 390037
www.landford-trees.co.uk trees@landfordtrees.co.uk
Landford Lodge, Landford Salisbury, Wilts SP5 2EH
A new visitor centre combined with garden centre, café and gift shop, will open next Easter.
Just down the road, see the lovely gardens of Mill Dene, open until the end of September, still vibrant with colour in their borders, especially the dahlias, old-fashioned roses in their later flowering phase and streamside plants. For times phone 01386 700457, or go to
www.milldenegarden.co.uk
Drive down the M5 to Taunton and beyond to Hestercombe Gardens at Cheddon Fitzpaine where there are lovely autumn walks among the trees in the combe above the formality of the Edwardian Garden and the Victorian terrace.
Laid out in the 18th century by Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, the lake, Great Cascade, the Temple and other garden buildings provide interesting features along a circular route with some higher paths to walk to, giving wonderful views out to the surrounding countryside of Taunton Deane Vale.
Over in Wales, the ‘garden lost in time’ at Aberglasney is another wonderful restoration of an ancient, neglected garden. Contrasting with the formal walled gardens and the glass-covered atrium of the Ninfarium (named after the
Tree, hedging and fruit specialists.
Over 10,000 specimens on offer in a vast range of species and sizes.
Let our experienced staff help you make the right choice.
5% discount until the end of September for online or nursery sales using the discount code CVTCG
www.chewvalleytrees.co.uk 01275 333752 Country Gardener
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