Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are claimed to accommodate the world's largest arboretum comprising 75 hectares filled with over 42,000 trees and shrubs, notably the collection of camellia, magnolia and rhododendron. The Gardens are located 5km north-east of the town of Romsey in Hampshire, England, and were formerly known simply as the Hillier Arboretum, founded by nurseryman Harold Hillier in 1953 when he acquired Jermyns House and its grounds. The arboretum was given to Hampshire County Council in 1975 to be managed as a charitable trust. Sir Harold Hillier was knighted in 1983, just two years before his death at the age of 80.