Thorp Perrow Aboretum, not far from the historic town of Bedale in the Yorkshire Dales, is the creation of one man, Sir Leonard Ropner Bt., (1895-1977), who amassed one of the finest private collections of trees in the country.

The 85 acre site, set in over 1000 acres of parkland, was bought by William Ropner Bt., in 1927, but it was to be his son, Sir Leonard, whose passion and love for trees led to the creation of this delightful Aboretum.

Read more: Thorp Perrow Aboretum – Yorkshire Dales Secret Garden

Sandy Felton talks to garden designer Philippa Pearson about her passion for colour and 'catwalk' glamour in the border.

Spend five minutes with Philippa Pearson and you quickly realise that you are in the company of an experienced and passionate plantswoman. Based in Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, where she runs her garden design business, Philippa has worked in horticulture for over 10 years and like several of her contempories came into horticulture from a totally unrelated background.

Read more: Queen of Colour