In search of winter gardens

As I read my favourite gardening blogs around the world and hear that snow is falling (and see the pictures to prove it), I have to face the facts and accept that winter is coming! Many of the gardens I know and love are closing their doors; gardeners are sweeping up the autumn leaves; the clocks soon change; and there's no getting away from the fact that we'll soon be into fog and frost. So this week, I'm in pursuit of glorious winter gardens.

First stop this week was the Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire - one of my favourites throughout the year, but particularly fine in autumn, with its acer valley and heather garden, and you will find colour here to gladden your heart, especially on a frosty day. The Winter Garden here is the largest in Europe and is filled with wonderful, colourful plants that will give you joy on a cold, wintery day.

The 180-acre site was once home to Sir Harold Hillier, a passionate plant collector, who lived in the heart of the grounds in Jermyns House (above); worked for his family nursery business and spent most of his life collecting plants. The gardens today are a reminder of his commitment to trees and plants, with a staggering 12,000 different species and cultivars! But also indicate the Council's commitment to the project since Sir Harold donated it to Hampshire in 1977 - because they have continued to nurture and maintain his dream, so that everyone can enjoy it! The result is a truly remarkable garden.

There are so many different areas within the grounds that there is year-round interest here - there is a bog garden; Gurkha garden, featuring a wide range of Nepalese plants; heather garden; Winter Garden; many unusual trees; wonderful vistas over the surrounding countryside; and currently a sculpture exhibition, so every corner you turn reveals another surprise. There are also magnificent herbaceous borders, although this is not the best time of year to see them, but nevertheless, something for everybody!

The plant centre is impressive too - I was so inspired by the winter garden that I left with many fine prunus plants to give my own plot winter colour ... so watch this space and I might even put my own garden endeavours on my blog soon!