Bluebell Arboretum
Planting in our beautiful garden was started in 1992 and it now covers an area of nine acres. British native trees were first planted to provide much needed shelter on this site. Into the wood that this created were planted hundreds of the choice, rare and unusual plants in which we specialise.
Although most of the large trees are still young, many of the shrubs and smaller trees already show their full beauty of form and habit and the arboretum has become a beautiful woodland walk with rare plant treasures on display to entice the real enthusiast!
In May 2004, the arboretum was given the 'Greenwatch Award' by Derbyshire County Council for Environmental Sustainability!
There is a charge of £2.50 per person for entry to the arboretum and gardens. We are on the Royal Horticultural Society list of recommended gardens to visit and R.H.S. members are admitted free of charge.
With the exception of guide dogs, animals must be left secure in the owner's car, water bowls will be provided on request.
Directions to our nursery and arboretum can be found on our website by clicking on the following link: Arboretum Directions & Opening Times.Please be aware that our lawns and grass paths can become slippy during or after rain or frosty weather. When visiting us, please wear sturdy footwear such as walking or Wellington boots.
We are also able to give advice on planting your own arboretum, from turning a small garden into a tree filled glade to planting up much larger areas for a striking woodland garden. Please email us or telephone our office on (01530) 413700.
A detailed article about Bluebell Nursery creating new arboreta by Robin Lane Fox was featured in the Financial Times in 2005. Please click on the following link to read this:
Extract from the Financial Times: 'Get a nursery education'
Please click on the images below to view larger photos
Spring
Springtime in Bluebell Arboretum is characterised by the emerging flowers of such beautiful plants as the yellow flowered Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida' (Witch Hazel), or the carmine pink flowers of Prunus mume 'Beni-Chidon' (Japanese Flowering Apricot).
Other plants such as the early flowering Magnolias, Davidia (Pocket Handkerchief Tree), Prunus (Ornamental Cherry Trees), Daphne, Malus (Flowering Crab-apples), and Cercis (Judas Tree) complement the last of the winter stem colour
Summer
In the summer the arboretum is a lush, leafy and cool environment on all but the hottest of days. Plants such as the Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' (Flowering Dogwood) with its beautiful pink bracts are spectacular in early to mid summer and Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' with its ruby red, heart-shaped leaves are particularly striking at this time of year
We regularly give private tours around the gardens in the long Summer evenings for gardening groups. If you are interested in arranging a guided walk, please telephone our office on (01530) 413700.
Autumn
The gardens are particularly striking in Autumn. Many of the trees and shrubs here have been planted for their vivid autumn colours and fruit! In a normal year, the best time to visit for the colour is October although, when the weather in autumn is very mild the foliage can be at its best in early November.
The photos above are good examples of the leaf colour which can be seen in a typical autumn!
Please feel free to telephone our office on (01530) 413700 and we can advise when the autumn colour in the arboretum should be at its best, based on the current conditions!Warm clothes and sturdy footwear are a good idea at this time of year!
Winter
In Winter the arboretum changes yet again, with the focus now being on plants with attractive bark, winter flowers, sturdy evergreen foliage and architectural habit. At this time of year the gardens are particularly beautiful on a clear, frosty day!
Exciting trees and shrubs at this time of year include such treats as the delightful Acer tegmentosum with its jade green bark, striped with fine silver lines and our large selection of rare Betula (Birch) with an array of different stem colours, ranging from pure white and silver to pink and dark brown/black.
Warm clothes and sturdy footwear are a good idea at this time of year!
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