Places to visit
Recommended places to see seasonal plants at their best Autumn is the best time to plant most trees and BlueBell Arboretum & Nursery is a great source of inspiration. Its vast range includes the usual contenders and some special rare-as-hens’-teeth trees exclusive to the nursery. It is also home to an interesting arboretum with an extensive collection of trees and shrubs. The knowledgeable staff will happily advise you as to the best tree for any site. BlueBell Arboretum & Nursery, Annwell Lane, Smisby, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 2TA. Tel 01530 413700, bluebellnursery.com
Westonbirt, the National Arboretum has a remarkable collection of trees from all over the world, with many huge specimens and planting that started in
the 1850s and continues to this day. October is the best month for autumn colour especially the Japanese maples and liquidambars. Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS. Tel 0300 067 4890, forestry. gov.uk/westonbirt
Another garden with an arboretum that is very good in the autumn is the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This has to be one of the finest and most historic collections of trees in the world. The collections hail from all four corners of the world and many were first introductions, some plantings date back to 1762. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE. Tel 020 8332 5655, kew.org
The culmination of the horticultural year is
celebrated at the RHS Autumn Garden Show at Lawrence and Lindley Halls in London. Here there will be displays of late-season flowers, autumn colour and floristry. There will also be a number of speciality nurseries offering a wide range of plants and lectures. RHS Lawrence Hall, London SW1P 2QD. RHS Lindley Hall, London SW1P 2QW. Tel 020 3176 5800, rhs.org.uk