The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens (formerly the Hillier Arboretum) was founded by the late Sir Harold Hillier in 1953 and is one of the World’s largest collections of hardy trees and shrubs. The Gardens were given in trust to Hampshire County Council in 1977. It is their commitment that has helped to develop this collection of 42,000 plants with which now thrive in the various themed landscapes across 180 acres. Spring brings an explosion of rhododendrons, magnolias, cherries and camellias, Autumn colour is spectacular, and Winter offers vivid colours of stems as well as fragrant witc hazels in the world’s largest Winter Garden. Beauty and discovery throughout the year. National Plant collections of Carpinus, Cornus, Corylus, Cotoneaster, Hamamelis, Hilliers (Plants raised by), Ligustrum, Lithocarpus, Metasequoia, Photinia, Pinus (excl dwarf cvs.) and Quercus.The gardens now holds 14 National Plant Collections.