A DYNAMIC new Winter Garden has been created at one of the county’s top tourist attractions.

It was launched at Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden, in Ardingly by Nick Bailey, horticulturist, author and presenter of Gardeners’ World.

More than 100 guests attended the opening.

Designed by garden supervisor Francis Annette, it weaves 33,000 plants into a contemporary setting.

Mature Himalayan silver birch trees are the centre of attention.

Planting them was a carefully organised operation, securing the 10ft high trees firmly into the ground with specially designed anchors.

Complete immersion in winter beauty drove the design; a place to lose yourself among the shimmering bark, soft foliage and rich scents.

A spokesman said: “You can rest on the contemporary carved seat and feel cocooned as you look up at the winter sky.

“The all-weather path twists and turns throughout the garden, adding to the feeling of discovery – you don’t quite know what you will see around the next corner.

“Wakehurst has always been a trailblazer for winter gardens – with one of the first in the UK being created in 1986.

“Initially focusing on specimen-based planting, the first Winter Garden had lost its energy and in 2017 we decided the time was right for a transformation.”

Meanwhile, an exhibition of award-winning photographs of the nation’s favourite trees will be launched today among the oaks at Wakehurst.

Celebrating Our Oaks, a special category of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition, was developed in partnership with Action Oak.

It is a major conservation campaign whose aim is to protect the UK’s 121 million oak trees from threats including pests and diseases.

The free exhibition will showcase photographs from the IGPOTY competition finalists, and a number of celebrities who have contributed to the initiative.

The images will be displayed in the grounds of Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in an area aptly named “The Oaks”.

It runs until February 28.