A COLOURFUL garden has been awarded a heritage status ahead of its feature autumn weekend.

The Green Island Gardens, in Green Island Park Road, Ardleigh has received two National Plant Heritage titles.

Fiona Edmond has built up her collections of Hamamelis and Camellias, which are autumn and winter flowers, and they have just been awarded a National Collection status by the Plant Heritage Society.

Mrs Edmond, who designed and developed the gardens during the last 20 years, said: “I’m really excited as it was a lengthy process to receive these awards.

“It was nine months of incredibly hard work, but it’s worth it.

“I’m really happy to receive this award as it will put our garden on the map, as it’s the only natural reservation in the area which showcases the autumn colours.”

The autumn event is next weekend.