The 70 acre gardens are known as one of the most important horticultural sites in the country
Breathtaking photographs reveal one of Britain’s most magnificent private arboretums bursting with extraordinary autumn hues after a sweltering, parched summer.
Horticulturists at Hergest Croft Gardens in Kington, Herefordshire, report they’re witnessing the most brilliant autumn spectacle in living memory.
Staff disclosed that blooms typically appearing in May are still emerging due to the UK’s record-breaking warmest summer.
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The 70-acre grounds are recognised as amongst the nation’s most significant horticultural locations and represent one of Britain’s largest privately-owned arboretums.
This prize-winning destination encompasses six distinctive gardens and parkland, displaying over 5,000 uncommon trees and shrubs.
These encompass the National Collections of Zelkovas, Birches and Maples, alongside 130 ‘champion’ specimens.
Botanical specialists explained that the blazing summer coupled with crisp, arid evenings has contributed to creating this vivid and enduring exhibition.
Head gardener Steve Lloyd commented: “I’ve been here 45 years and we have rhododendrons coming out in October when they usually flower in May.
“I have never seen so many flowers on it in mid October. It’s quite strange and we are just wondering what is going on.
“The Maple Grove is a really wonderful place to be this time of year, you get lovely colours and we stated it back in the winter of 1984.
“Around 90 per cent of it was grown from seed. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by all these different eclectic trees and shrubs.”
Head of marketing Austyn Hallworth said: “Autumn is always a special time at Hergest Croft.
“We’ve had a very warm and sunny summer and this enables trees to build the sugar reserves that help to create the vibrant colours.
“With our unrivalled collections of trees, visitors can really experience the science of autumn colour in action – and to see why our gardens are regarded as one of the finest places in Britain to enjoy this spectacular event.”
Developed and expanded by the Banks family across five generations, the gardens nestle beneath the famous Hergest Ridge overlooking the Black Mountains.
The terraced areas showcase tulips followed by a blazing display of dahlias and salvias, whilst the expansive rockery bursts with autumn hues from numerous Japanese Maples.
The formal Slate Garden, crafted by Elizabeth Banks, boasts borders of five different box varieties and features a striking fir cone sculpture carved from slate.
Park Wood, a hidden valley tucked away within ancient oak woodland, also houses more than 30 acres of towering Rhododendrons and rare trees.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was once a guest at Hergest Croft and it’s thought the estate provided inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles.
He heard tales of the property’s medieval lord, the wicked Black Vaughan, whose troubled soul was said to wander the grounds disguised as a black hound.
According to local folklore, Conan Doyle simply substituted Vaughan’s name with the Baskervilles of Eardisley.
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