Press Release
MAGNIFICENT DISPLAYS OF AUTUMN COLOUR IN THE ROYAL LANDSCAPE, WINDSOR GREAT PARK
6 October 2008
The rich diversity of trees and shrubs in The Royal Landscape, in Windsor Great Park, will create magnificent displays of colour and form for visitors to enjoy this autumn, reaching their peak in mid-October.
Mark Flanagan, The Keeper of the Gardens, said: “The Savill Garden and Valley Gardens within The Royal Landscape present a show of autumn colour to match any in this country. The cooler nights have heralded the onset of autumn a little earlier this year and visitors can enjoy the changing season through the spectacular shows of yellows, oranges, reds and burgundies around them.”
The Savill Garden’s recently refurbished Queen Elizabeth Temperate House has taken on a seasonally autumnal theme with an injection of colour coming from groups of chrysanthemums and cyclamen with drifts of Physalis, better known as the Chinese Lantern, and ornamental pepper plants supporting a fine display of home grown pumpkins, squashes and gourds.
Japanese maples are the backbone of The Savill Garden displays and can be found in a huge range of different forms. They vary in colour from butter yellow, to orange, red and the intense claret of the famous old cultivar, ‘Ozakazuki’. Throughout the garden other Asian trees and those from eastern north America, parts of the world where the autumn spectacle is unparalleled, add to the display. Look out for the sweet gums, tupelo, red and scarlet oaks, birches, hickories and fothergillas.
Many plants which flower spectacularly earlier in the year have a final flourish with intensely coloured leaves – chief among these are the witch hazels, whose winter flowers follow a wonderful autumn display, principally of yellow and orange. By the pond side, the elegant fronds of the native royal fern fade to a subtle russet colour, reflected in the water, before they wither for the winter.
The Valley Gardens are alight with russets, purples, reds, oranges and yellows throughout the autumn. The maples, sweet gums and birches are particularly splendid, against the evergreen background of numerous conifers. Just as autumn begins to fade into winter, some of the early camellias are already opening their bright flowers. The Valley Gardens cover 250 acres of hill and valley, with spectacular autumn views down to Virginia Water.
After a refreshing walk in the gardens, visit the award winning Savill Building which provides excellent visitor facilities including a gift shop, exhibition area and self-service restaurant offering hot and cold snacks and traditional cream teas.
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