December and January days can be quite stunning at Bedgebury, with the low sun highlighting our trees. Unlike other botanic gardens we are open all year round and our hard paths make for mud free walking.
On snowy days ring 01580 879820 to check that we are safe to open.
With many of the leaves now off the deciduous trees the structure of the trees - skeleton, bark and shape comes into its own. Light slanting in, instead of illuminating from above, shows the bare trunks and branches in silhouette. Look at them against the sun for the best views. The red tones in the hour either side of sunrise and sunset really enhances the orange bark of Scots pines giving them a salmon pink glow.
With the deciduous trees bare, the huge range of shades of green in the conifer collection comes into its own. Green greens, blue greens and yellow greens are all there to give interest. Look out for the Scots pines opposite the visitor centre. Over the next month they will take on a yellow tinge. There are lots of cones hanging in the conifers, so it’s worth looking high the trees.
