Our Window on Westonbirt volunteers have explored the arboretum this week to let you know what's looking its best. Keep an eye out for the following seasonal highlights - they're not to be missed! You can also use our Arboretum Explorer to discover more tree locations around the arboretum.
Yellow-fruited holly
The Holly trees are covered in berries at the moment and none more so than the Yellow-fruited holly (Ilex aquifolium 'Bacciflava') on Willesley Drive. The berries are firm for a long time and will only soften after a significant thaw, usually in mid-winter, and only then will the birds feast on them.
Korean sweetheart tree
The Korean sweetheart tree (Euscaphis japonica) is worth seeking out at the top of Palmer Ride for its abundant small heart-shaped capsules that ripen from pink to a bright cherry red before splitting open to reveal shiny blue-black seeds.
Barberry
Over in the Old Arboretum wander up Mitchell Drive and at the junction with Loop Walk you will find a splendid Barberry (Berberis wilsoniae). It is a spiny shrub with arching branches and pink-red berries which people in many countries eat as a tart and refreshing fruit.
