Powis Castle gardens celebrated in new book

The Finest Gardens in Wales features 50 of the country's best-loved gardens and has been compiled by garden writer and broadcaster Tony Russell, a former head forester of Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

The book is a celebration of the very best gardens in Wales, covering their history, design, plants and personalities.

Mr Russell said: "I am really excited about this book, which has been over two years in the making.

"Wales contains some of the finest gardens in the UK, but until now they have never all been celebrated within one book.

"From grand landscapes surrounding stately homes to mountain gardens alongside tumbling streams, the horticultural diversity to be found within Wales is really quite astonishing," he said.

The gardens at Powis are known for their Italianate terraces, woodland, Edwardian formal garden and 30ft or 14m-high yew hedge which was planted in the 1720s.

David Swanton, head gardener at Powis Castle, said: "We do have a very special garden. It's a unique garden.

"We had a record-breaking year last year with more than 125,000 visitors, and we're expecting the same this year.

"We've got all the spring flowers coming through now in the borders.

"They're not quite there yet, things are a little bit later this year because of the weather but in another week or so they'll be full of beautiful colours.

"It is good to be recognised for our gardens."

The Finest Gardens in Wales is published by Amberley Publishing and costs £15.99.