Press Release

Autumn Glory at Wakehurst Place

Autumn is about to burst into colour in all its glory at Wakehurst Place and a bumper programme of special events is lined to help visitors enjoy the spectacle.

The hot, dry summer means autumn colours at Kew's renowned country garden at Ardingly, West Sussex, are appearing earlier than usual and the seasonal display promises to be a dazzling blaze of colour.

Some trees and shrubs at the 500- acre garden are already starting to turn to shades of gold, red and amber and more will follow over the coming days and weeks.

A variety of trees and shrubs, grown for their foliage and berries, come into their own during the autumn – among them American oaks and hickories, the golden larch, azaleas, and Japanese maples.

Andy Jackson, head of Wakehurst Place, said: “The breathtaking autumn tints are always popular with visitors, and with photographers and artists, and throughout October a range of special events will help people to make the most of the seasonal display.

“The autumn colour on some trees is appearing a little earlier than usual, because of the drought, and there should be plenty of highlights to enjoy from now until the end of October.”

Autumn Colour Weekends, October 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29

Special Autumn Colour Weekends are being held over three weekends when the colours will be at their peak. There will be guided long and short walks around the gardens and, on Sundays, minibuses will provide tours around the gardens to ensure those less able to walk around the extensive grounds don't miss out on any of the seasonal highlights.

Meet the Expert , October 14-15

Learn more about the rare Wollemi Pine, nicknamed the ‘dinosaur plant', from plant guru Mark Taylor. Wakehurst was home to one of the first Wollemi pine trees in the UK, however as a result of conservation work to protect this endangered species, more plants have been brought into the country and, for the first time, there will be an opportunity to purchase your own Wollemi to grow at home. Mark will be sharing his expertise with visitors in the plant centre each day from 11am to 5pm.

The Big Draw, October 14, 21, and 28

Spend a Saturday getting arty at the Big Draw when arts workshops and activities will be taking place around the garden. Wakehurst is hosting events as part of the national Big Draw Campaign, which encourages people of all ages and abilities to draw.

There will be an opportunity to ‘paint' Wakehurst landscapes in huge picture frames created on the ground using sand, chalk, charcoal and other natural and help create banners celebrating the work of the Millennium Seed Bank Project, which is located in the gardens.

Wakehurst Place , at Ardingly, four miles north of Haywards Heath is open daily, from 10am . Tel 01444 890466 www.kew.org

--ends—

MEDIA enquiries to Andy Jackson 01444 894054 or 01444 894067

IMAGES from http://www.kew.org/press/images/wakehurst

For further Press information please contact: