KENTSTAYCATION
A GARDEN FOR ALL SEASONS CONT .
AUTUMN AND WINTER
One of the most comprehensive and exciting collections of salvias in Europe grows at Great Comp with extravagance and warmth , and , as summer draws to a close , ornamental grasses in great variety punctuate the colourful borders and combine beautifully with the myriad colours of late autumn . However , one of the best places in Kent to say farewell to the summer is Riverhill Himalayan Gardens in Sevenoaks . Open until the end of October , the gardens are simply wonderful in autumn - sunflowers and dahlias fill the walled garden beds and the pottager is alive with late blooms and vegetables . As the air turns cooler , Riverhill ’ s trees change through yellow and orange to fiery red . Their acers are also a ruby-red sight to behold , as are the unruly gourds and squash that scale the walls amongst the red leaves of the Virginia creeper .
Another garden that embraces all the glory of autumn is Belmont House near Ashford . Home to a walled garden that sits beneath the shadow of a charming clock tower , Belmont ’ s long borders contain a wide variety of plants both annual and perennial . The combination of these borders with climbers , a more formal rose bed and walls covered with wisteria ensures there is interest throughout the year . In autumn and winter , the pinetum remains a picturesque variety of trees including blue atlas cedar , Mexican white pine , brewer spruce and coast redwood amongst others .
BELMONT HOUSE
If it ’ s autumn colours you ’ re craving , Penshurst Place is set ablaze with golden leaves of burnt orange and red , a glorious backdrop to this medieval marvel whose gardens are among the oldest in private ownership . Autumn sees acers provide a stunning display through the spectrum of oranges and reds , while the leaves on the gingko biloba transform into a gorgeous golden yellow . However , for those that love flowers , late May to early June is not to be missed . Penshurst ’ s 100-metre long peony border erupts into colour , showcasing four different hues of beautiful pink peonies .
One of the earliest flowering plants is of course the snowdrop . Ightham Mote is one of Kent ’ s best places to witness this little winter bloom . Throughout February , an estimated 5,000 of these magical winter flowers put on their display , marking the end and beginning of a year in the garden .
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IGHTHAM MOTE