Bluebell Arboretum started life on March 11, 1992, when Robert and Suzette Vernon bought six acres on the borders of Derbyshire and Leicestershire. They celebrated their purchase later that day by planting two seedlings of Sequoiadendron giganteum, 4in high at the time, but well over 50ft today. Both trees have flourished, perhaps surprisingly, in the wet clay soil and the arboretum now has more than 75 giant redwoods.

The six acres are roughly split between the oldest part of the arboretum and the nursery that supports it, which uses its trees and shrubs as a source of propagating material. In 2004, the Vernons were able to buy another six acres to extend the arboretum and new plants are constantly added to the collection. Its great value — apart from the rare trees themselves — is that

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