‘Fiery and spectacular’ rainbow of autumn colour set to bloom across UK

National Trust gardeners expect vivid hues and bountiful fungi, nuts and berries thanks to recent weather conditions

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is likely to be particularly vivid this year, with the combination of a sun-drenched summer and rainy September causing excellent conditions for autumn colour in many of the UK's loveliest gardens.

Experts at the National Trust are predicting a long, gradual wave of reds and yellows, the warm conditions meaning annuals and herbaceous perennials are having a second flush, adding to the bright palette.