What's looking good
Our Window on Westonbirt Volunteers have explored the arboretum this week to inform our visitors of the following not to be missed seasonal highlights.
Use Arboretum Explorer to help you discover more tree locations around the arboretum.
Hamamelis mollis
As we move into the New Year there are several winter scented shrubs to see. The Witch hazels are now flowering and the most fragrant is Hamamelis mollis with its bright golden yellow flowers. It can be found on Morley Ride.
Sarcococca ruscifolia
One of the delights of the season is the Christmas box (Sarcococca ruscifolia) behind the Great Oak Hall. It has glossy dark green oval leaves and small highly fragrant creamy white flowers and dark red berries. The perfume carries through the cold winter air.
Himalayan birch
There are also many interesting barks to be seen at the moment and a great favourite is the Himalayan birch (Betula utilis). It has a beautiful coppery-brown bark which peels freely. Examples can be found on Mitchell Drive, Cherry Glade and Palmer Ride.