For those of you who missed last years images I'll repeat the same introduction. The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens a few miles north of Romsey are named in memory of their founder, the late Sir Harold Hillier. With more than 42,000 plants - 12,500 different types - this unique collection extends over 180 acres and is said to contain the greatest collection of hardy trees and shrubs in the world. English Heritage now includes the gardens in the Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England for the value of the plant collections. In 1997 nearly twenty-five years after the first plantings, Sir Harold gave his plant collection to Hampshire County Council to be held by them as a charitable trust. |