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FAREWELL RHS CHELSEA - NO LIVE COVERAGE THIS YEAR

May 4, 2016, 4:12 am
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RHS Chelsea has long been considered the jewel in the crown of flower shows worldwide and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Over the years I have enjoyed some sunny sojourns while photographing the gardens and more recently braved both wind and rain to cover the stars of the show and always told the story in pictures for my worldwide readership, before the medal winners are announced. But this year I have been turned down for press accreditation on the very day that enables me to give readers a sneak preview of what's on offer, so it is with regret that I inform readers that I shall now bow out of any further coverage of RHS Chelsea, any other RHS shows here in the UK, and reviews of their gardens.
But I will be covering other major garden events, both here in the UK and abroad and will be visiting some of the other venues that promote both interesting show gardens and novel ideas to the horticultural world - Chaumont, in France, is one of my favourites and I shall be seeing what's in store for readers there, as well as visiting the innovative Reford Gardens in Canada - a showcase for both established and up-and-coming garden talent.
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A walk in the park in St Petersburg, Russia

May 12, 2016, 8:16 pm
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May is the perfect month to meander though the Summer Garden in St Petersburg, strolling first through the verdant park and ending up at the magnificent Cathedral of the Saviour of Spilled Blood.
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Wordless Wednesday - Gardens and green spaces in Russia

May 17, 2016, 9:06 pm
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Spring flowers in bloom, glimpsed from a window in The Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

 St Petersburg's Botanical Garden
The palace at Pavlovsk near St Petersburg
Irena Phyzikova's garden near St Petersburg
Peterhof is famous for its fountains, but you must walk further afield to fully enjoy the gardens here
In the woods at Peterhof, outside St Petersburg
Sculpture in a private garden, designed by Alexey Skibin near St Petersburg
I've spent the last week in Russia, looking at gardens and green spaces and will be featuring some of them in the coming weeks. For the Summer Garden in St Petersburg, click here.
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Peterhof - A "Great" Russian Garden created by Tzars

May 28, 2016, 11:29 pm
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Peterhof is famous for its fountains and fine views over the Baltic Sea
Peterhof (Petrodvorets) - former summer palace of Peter the Great - is one of the most popular day-trip destinations for St Petersburg visitors. Although what you see today is mostly a reconstruction, since both palace and grounds were major casualties of WWII, firstly at the hands of the German army stationed here, who did considerable damage to the palace, but additionally and ironically by Stalin, who was determined Hitler wouldn't celebrate New Year's Eve there in 1941 and repeatedly bombed the site to prevent this happening.
The Cascade Fountain at Peterhof, with 200 gilded statues and ornamental features, overlooks the Baltic Sea
Today the reconstructed Peterhof is one of the most impressive gardens in Russia with its memorable collection of fountains and fine views over the Baltic Sea. The estate is actually a series of palaces and gardens, often described as the 'Russian Versailles'. The gardens are Baroque in style and were designed by a pupil of Le Notre - Jean-Baptiste Le Blond - for Peter the Great, who not only admired Versailles, but who, as creator of the Russian Navy, also loved to be near the sea. 
The landscape at Peterhof is mainly greenery, to overcome the harsh Russian winters
The Cascade Fountain (top) leads from the palace to the lower gardens, flanked at both sides by waterfall steps, features more than 200 gilded statues and ornaments. The Grand Cascade is modelled on one designed for Louis XIV at his Palace de Marly, which is also memorialised at Peterhof as a smaller palace at the far end of the Lower Gardens. Don't miss it if you visit, because this is where you will find the best restaurant and fewer crowds.
The Sun Fountain at Peterhof constantly rotates to catch the sun's rays
Perhaps the greatest technological achievement of Peterhof is that all the fountains operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. And it's the elevation difference that creates the pressure to drive the fountains in the Lower Gardens, including the Grand Cascade. These fountains range from the remarkable Sun Fountain (above) that rotates and catches the suns rays to give a dazzling rainbow, to a number of trick fountains that soak unsuspecting visitors who get too close to them.
Spring flowers are a feature of the gardens in May
It was Catherine the Great who oversaw the creation of the first landscape garden at Peterhof – and created both an English Palace and an English Park – designed jointly by Scottish landscaper, James Meaders, a disciple of Capability Brown, working with the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi, who oversaw the building of the once celebrated Palace, considered to be one of the great examples of Russian classicism, although sadly, this too was destroyed during WWII. But visit Peterhof today, and you will be amazed by the effort that has gone into rebuilding the complex.

What had to be considered here when designing and landscaping the gardens for Catherine, were the inclement conditions of the Russian climate, which means that for nearly half the year the ground is covered in snow and the temperatures are well below freezing. This is why the bulk of the landscape is greenery, but with displays of flowers throughout the spring and summer months.
The Marly Palace at Peterhof - well worth walking the extra distance to see
In springtime, the formal garden areas in the lower park are filled with daffodils and tulips, but these are replaced later in the season with other flowers and, although the planting is somewhat military with tulips placed in soldier-like lines and single blocks of colour, you can see why the gardens are so popular with both tourists and locals. The emphasis here is on the water, fountains and greenery because of the extremely harsh Russian climate in winter.
Peterhof is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions on any tourist itinerary to St Petersburg, and is served by a hydrofoil service from the city, as well as numerous coach tours, so the secret is either to get there early ahead of the crowds, or linger late in the afternoon, when the hordes have departed. And definitely avoid weekends because it is also a favourite with locals. Check the official website before visiting as opening hours vary according to the time of year.
It is also worth remembering that you cannot buy a single ticket to visit the entire estate. The Upper Gardens are free, and admission to the Lower Gardens is just 500 Russian roubles, but each palace and building within the complex requires a separate entrance ticket - there is not a single pass system, so try and plan ahead and buy all tickets that you need at the main entrance gates to avoid queueing at each new attraction when you arrive there. In high summer, during the 'White Night' period the gardens are open until 20.00 and early evening is a good time to visit to avoid the crowds.
Click here to see the Summer Gardens in St Petersburg.
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Thoughtful Thursday - A taste of Italy

June 8, 2016, 5:24 pm
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The gardens at Ninfa, near Rome
Villa d'Este, Tivoli
Castel Gandolfo, near Rome - the formal gardens at the Papal Palace
La Mortella, Ischia
Giardino Ravino, Ischia

A peak inside some of the gardens I've been visiting in Italy this past week, from the grandeur of Villa d'Este and the gardens at the Papal Palace of Castle Gandolfo outside Rome, to the fabled gardens at Ninfa and the extraordinary gardens in Ischia, including La Mortella and Giardino Ravino. I'll be taking readers on a tour of all these gardens in the next few weeks.
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Les Jardins de Metis, Canada - putting the glory back into public gardens - with the 2016 International Garden Festival

June 27, 2016, 1:18 pm
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Cyclops, by US architect, Craig Chapple - a new installation for 2016 at Les Jardins de Metis, Quebec
Today is just a taster of what's to come because I'm lucky enough to be at Les Jardins de Metis in Quebec (also known as the Reford Gardens), exploring the gardens and the annual International Garden Festival that has really put the glory back into public gardens here in Canada. The Festival opened on 24 June and runs until 2 October this year.
Inside 'Le Caveau' - by Swiss landscape architect, Christian Poules - at Les Jardins des Metis, Quebec
A fantastic location on the banks of the St Lawrence River, combined with the boundless energy of Alexander Reford, have turned these long-established gardens into an exciting destination for both gardeners and art lovers, who will definitely appreciate what they find here.
'Tilt' by Sean Radford and Chris Weibe - another new exhibit at the International Garden Festival
The gardens have been revitalised over the last two decades by Alexander Reford, great grandson of Elsie, who spent her life creating the traditional gardens here. Both the plantsman's paradise on offer and the celebrated Jardins des Metis/Reford Gardens International Garden Festival, which invites proposals from architects and those involved with landscapes throughout the world. The combination of the two has definitely rocketed Les Jardins de Metis straight into my top gardens of the globe for interest and initiative.
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Glen Villa - Pat and Norman Webster's remarkable Quebec garden opens its doors for the first time on 4 August

July 29, 2016, 8:27 am
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For the first time this week, garden enthusiasts will get the chance to see the remarkable garden created by Pat and Norman Webster at their stunning Canadian home overlooking the water, when the gardens open at 10.00 on 4 August. I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview when visiting Quebec in June with my son and highly recommend going for the open day if you're anywhere within a couple of hours drive. We drove out from Montreal in no time at all and really enjoyed our day.
Pat originates from West Virginia, but has spent the last 20 years creating the extraordinary garden around Glen Villa, near North Hatley in Quebec. She is already well-established as a popular garden personality who speaks all over Canada and the United States. But her garden at home is a personal tribute to her boundless energy and sparkling personality. She is a talented artist and has created many of the sculptures herself with the help of local artists and also invited other well-known sculptors to exhibit at the undulating 750-acre garden situated in the Quebec Eastern Townships.
This is a garden that has large tracts of forest and open meadow, huge areas of lawn and magnificent views, with a striking contemporary house at its heart (not open to the public on August 4, but a great backdrop to some of the pictures visitors will take) and the numerous sculptures sit happily their setting, despite their size and in some cases, starkness. Pat has repeatedly emphasised some of the architectural aspects of her home, and the large RSJ structures are particularly effective at mirroring interior elements of the house.
Pat and her husband Norman, have travelled the world throughout their lives, but have always returned home to Glen Villa, and it is very relaxed, family home, surrounded by a living landscape that invites you to explore every corner. Pat says of her home: "My aim is to make history visible in the garden, and at the same time to create an environment full of beauty. This is made easier because history is everywhere at Glen Villa, from the ruins of a grand resort hotel that burned down in 1909, to the foundation walls of old summer cottages ...".
There is certainly plenty of history at Glen Villa, once the site of a luxury hotel, which burned to the ground in the early 20th century; so Pat has made a memorial corner (above) where a huge table is laid for eternity (below), plus stairs leading nowhere, empty window casements and a grand entrance arch. Elsewhere the broken structure of a collapsed bridge (top) has been reconstructed; and a dead tree is commemorated with shining aluminium bands. 
Glen Villa is a unusual garden that truly reflects the personality of its owners; it is both inspiring and uplifting - and a rare find these days. Admission on 4 August  is $20 and all proceeds go to support public trails and land conservation projects of the Massawippi Foundation, a community foundation that in just four years has protected 780 acres of ecologically important woodlands in the area. Defintely worth a visit!
Pat Webster is featured here (centre left) with her sister and my son, Hamish (right) on the day we visited, so look out for her if you make it to Glen Villa on the open day. The gardens are open from 10.00 to 16.00. But make sure that you allow plenty of time to enjoy them.
They are pictured next to Webster's column, created by Pat to celebrate her husband Norman's 50-year career in journalism, latterly as editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail (Canada's largest national daily newspaper) and The Montreal Gazette. The column is filled with old copies of the papers he edited, mounted on a plaque.
Glen Villa is located at: 1020 Chemin de North Hatley, Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, QC J0B1WO.
Followers may also want to be interested in my son Hamish Macpherson's travels in the next month, as he leaves for the Burning Man Festival in Nevada to help construct an amazing project: Tangential Dreams. They reached their crowd-funding goal and leave in three weeks time to start construction. 
Steel beams reflecting the interior of the Webster's home, add to the interest of the garden at Glen Villa
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Wordless Wednesday - Up in the Highlands

August 31, 2016, 12:40 am
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RIP - My husband and "Galloping" soulmate - Vivian Foster Raven

October 29, 2016, 1:51 pm
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Dear Friends and Followers,
Thank you all for reading my garden travels over the last eight years.
It is with very deep regret that I write today to tell you that my husband and "Galloping" soulmate, died on 18 October. His funeral was yesterday.
Those of you who know me personally; worked with me; and travelled to foreign places at my side, know that I have cared for him for the last 10 years and found great solace in my travels to beautiful gardens all over the world, since he became unable to join me a few years back.
I will never forget Vivian and nor will any of you who were lucky enough to meet him personally. He was a remarkable soul - brave and upright, despite his prolonged battle with Huntington's Disease.
But there is a God somewhere, because in the last few weeks of his life, I was sent a strange and difficult gift from a higher plane. I was travelling in Italy with Victoria Summerley and Marty Wingate, when I fell and shattered my heel. 
That accident prevented me from travelling on to a contract in Australia and, as a result, I was here with my husband at the end of his life.
Our "Galloping Gardener" travels were a wonderful way of dealing with his increasing ill health. Gardens are a great source of joy ... especially in the sunshine ... and we visited many gardens across the globe together during our marriage.
I hope to visit more gardens when I find the strength to do so and am released from the plaster cast that has already been part of my life for five weeks.
And I hope that for all of you who have followed me for the last eight years, you will find the great joy that I found with my beloved husband on our travels.
Gardens and green spaces are a wonderful tonic, whatever you face in life. Enjoy them whenever you can.
And thank you all for following me.
Charlotte aka The Galloping Gardener.

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New Year greetings from Rajasthan's real "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

January 7, 2017, 3:35 am
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If you've seen the movie "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", imagine the excitement of visiting the location where it was filmed in Rajasthan. It's just a stone's throw from the tourist hub of Udaipur, known as the Lake City, and often referred to as "The Venice of India" - on the road north to Chittaurgarh in the district of Mavli. And it was here that both Exotic Marigold Hotel movies were filmed. It's actually a family home, run as a hotel called Ravla Khempur.
A major part of its charm is that the owners remain unaffected by their success in the movie world, although with some coaxing, they can be persuaded to show you pictures of the stars who featured - Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy, et al - but they are more interested in making sure your visit runs smoothly and talking about their personal passion - the exceptional horses stabled there - that visitors can ride.
You can stay at Ravla Khempur- regrettably, something I didn't have time to do - but I will definitely return to thispeaceful oasis outside the bustle of Udaipur. It's a traditional Rajasthani family home and the home-cooked food is delicious. Sadly though, no garden here, although the owners say they're planning one in future. 
It's been a while since I posted, but I hope all readers have a wonderful 2017. I'll be back with more gardens soon.
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Wordless Wednesday - Postcard from Pondicherry

January 17, 2017, 6:40 pm
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Weather is here, wish you were wonderful! Pondicherry is a charming city, overlooking the Bay of Bengal and I'm staying at a guesthouse called Coloniale Heritage. It's tiny garden is filled with tropical plants, small statues and masks. Definitely one for the Wishlist if you're visiting this part of India. For more pictures, visit Instagramhere.
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Postcard from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

January 22, 2017, 9:47 pm
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A wonderful sojourn at the Mantra Veppathur, with its striking greenery, beautiful clean and simple rooms and gentle, helpful staff. Another magical property to add to your wishlist when in Southern India.
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Windermere – a jewel in the Indian plantation crown

January 30, 2017, 12:52 am
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Munnar, one of Kerala’s most popular hill stations, is located high in the Western Ghats of southern India. It is home to tea, coffee and cardamom plantations; making for luxurious landscapes; verdant vistas; and, if you find the right place to stay, a welcome break from the frantic hustle and bustle of everyday life in India.
 Parts of Windermere are reminiscent of European gardens
One of Munnar’s best-kept secrets is the Windermere Estate – a long-established, 60-acre cardamom and coffee plantation owned by the Simon family since 1987. Today it is also run as a delightful, discreet 18-room plantation home, where guests are welcomed into a friendly environment, treated as part of the family and given delicious home-cooked food, astounding views, a carefully-tended garden filled with interesting plants, and an opportunity to explore the plantation on your doorstep, as well as the incredible tea fields around you.
Part of the charm of the garden at Windermere is the mix of sub-tropical plants and English flowers
The name is attributed to the well-known and much-visited place in England – Windermere – because a former houseguest of the previous owner, Mr I.C. Chacko, who was part of the Indian Civil Service under the British Raj – commented that the view from his window reminded him of our much-loved Lake District back home.
Visitors will see many birds here including the red-cheeked bulbul
Munnar is located in the Idukki district of Kerala and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was once the summer resort of the British Government in south India, but today is a popular visitor destination for both foreigners and domestic tourists. Any reader familiar with Charles Jencks’ work, would be forgiven for thinking that perhaps he gained inspiration for some of his incredible forms from the tea plantations here. 
   No visitor can fail to be impressed by the extra-ordinary landscape here, with tea plants covering every available inch of land in the region. The tea plant is actually part of the Camellia family (Camellia sinensis) and the top two inches of the shrub – known as flushes – grow every 15 days. And as Windermere owner, Dr John Simon, explains: “The most common types of tea available in the market are white, green and black tea. The only difference is how they are processed.”
   So a visit to the Lockhart Tea Museum is a must, to see just how the process works. It's a short 8-kilometre drive from the estate and your hosts will arrange it for you.
The visual experience of the tea plantations is quite extraordinary - was Charles Jencks inspired by them?
Cardamom doesn’t have the visual appeal of tea, with its unwieldy leaves and stringy appearance, but it is known as the “Queen of all spices” and is a labour-intensive crop, needing highly skilled management and well-trained workers to yield a good harvest. It is sensitive to moisture, light and temperature and is grown at an optimum altitude of 600-1500 metres, in regions with an average rainfall of 1500-4000mm.
You will see tea growing everywhere you look in Munnar ... and it's a wonderful sight
You can read more about the Windermere Estate here, but if you are travelling to this part of India, do consider this as one of your stopovers and for a couple of days, so you can fully appreciate the plantation life and the magnificent scenery. It is an easy destination to combine with both Cochin on the west coast and Kumbakonam further east.
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"Garden of Eden" in Kerala - Amaryllis Homestay

February 2, 2017, 6:14 am
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Evening view from the veranda at Amaryllis, looking down into the valley below
If you're in search of the "Garden of Eden", look no further than Kerala, in the hills near Wayanad, where you'll find Amaryllis Homestay - another peaceful haven away from the frenetic pace of daily life in India. This is Victor and Ranjini Dey's home, in a prime location, overlooking a fertile, green valley, where they welcome guests from all over the world into their productive coffee plantation.
Victor has lived the plantation life since he was a young man, when he first arrived in Kerala from Calcutta, aged 20, and started working in a tea plantation near the well-known hill station, Ooty. His monthly stipend was a mere 250 Indian Rupees (a little over £3.00 at today's exchange rates) although he only brought home less than half of this to his new bride Ranjini, after other deductions. He still keeps a copy of his wages slip in the bar at Amaryllis to remind him of those days.
Victor has worked in the industry for 50 years now, managing tea, coffee and cardamom crops on different plantations, but most recently at the Kuppamudi Estate, which is also home to another popular Wayanad tourist property called Tranquil. But in 2006, they chanced upon the site that is now Amaryllis and when they saw the view (see below) from the plot they'd discovered, they knew this was the perfect place for their new home.
Building started in 2008 when they brought in the necessary equipment to level the top of the hill and four years later, construction was finished. But Victor continued to work as manager at the neighbouring Kuppamudi Estate and it was not until January 2016 that they opened to guests. What you see there today is a tribute to their combined efforts - a magnificently-run home, with far reaching views. But particularly noteworthy is Victor's clever use of local woods to decorate their home. 
On the day we arrived, I didn't recognise the coffee plants because they were all bearing white blossoms (above), rather than the familiar reddish pods (below). But Victor explained that the harvest doesn't normally finish until mid to late February and this year is unusual because there has been unseasonal regional rain, which has encouraged the plants to blossom early.
Once the blossom fully opens, it will remain open for three days and produce a jasmine-like smell before beginning to dry out in the sun, sticking to the small berry that's forming there and providing protection throughout the hot summer months and monsoon season.And so another coffee berry cycle begins, with the pod continuing to grow for a further 9-10 months and finally being harvested the following year when it has reached full size. 
Wander around the grounds at Amaryllis and you will find many other delights, including pepper creeping up the trees; Artocarpus heterophyllus - the "Jack" fruit tree, with its monumental green fruit blooms; and a plethora of tropical plant delights, as well as hundreds of potted plants that decorate the terraces.
But it's the homestay experience that makes Amaryllis so special. Both Victor and Janjini have many years of experience in the hospitality industry, after their long stint at nearby Tranquil. They are charming hosts and they run a wonderful home. Most of the bedrooms are in the main house, but for a really special experience, stay in one of the two tree houses on site (see below), both constructed of local bamboo. 
Amaryllis is one of the new-generation Indian homestays that promises to make travelling here easier for visitors seeking a combination of comfort and local interest. Beautifully furnished rooms, wonderful home cooking and efficient bathrooms. Victor and Jini take great pride in their home and extend their hospitality to all their guests. I for one, will be return ing next time I visit Kerala.
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Wordless Wednesday - 8th wonder of the world - the mobile phone

February 21, 2017, 11:31 pm
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It doesn't matter how far off the beaten track you are, you'll still find a mobile phone!
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Magnificent magnolias for Mother's Day

March 25, 2017, 3:58 am
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High Beeches Gardens in West Sussex is a remarkable woodland garden
We're all getting ready for Mother's Day - buying flowers, arranging lunch or an outing, but why not take your mother somewhere really special this Sunday? Choose a garden, walk around and admire the magnificent magnolias in bloom - they are really special flowers that will leave a lasting impression! And there are some fantastic gardens in the South-East of England that are easily accessible.
High Beeches Gardens, south of London, have some of the best magnolias on display anywhere and offer the chance to take a woodland walk that takes in fantastic rhododendrons, swaying daffodils and views that will leave you astonished. Open from 13.00 this Sunday, specially for Mother's Day and it's well worth a visit.
You'll find more magnificent magnolias and rhododendrons at Borde Hill, with the former in flower and the latter beginning to bloom (and so early this year, that the garden has opened a week ahead of schedule to enable visitors to truly enjoy the visual delights on offer).
In Hampshire, there's the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, with its extensive magnolia collection close to the main house at the heart of the garden. 
And of course, there's always Kew Gardens, on the fringes of London, with its own collection of these wonderful trees and magnificent glasshouses. And if you're visiting, don't forget to marvel at The Hive - an amazing artform in the middle of the garden.
And look out for other spring marvels at all these gardens, including carpets of flowers
But let's not forget, if it hadn't been for the formidable plant explorers who travelled far and wide in centuries gone by, we would not have any of these magnificent trees here in the UK.

Happy Mother's Day and let's hope the sun shines!
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Silent Sunday - Postcard from Mallorca

April 2, 2017, 2:10 am
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In search of wildflowers in Mallorca, but just a little distracted by all the colours here! 
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Wednesday Walkabout - Wakehurst Place

April 4, 2017, 10:22 pm
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Well worth a walkabout, especially in springtime - Wakehurst Place in Sussex - where you'll find ideas for your own garden: trees and plants to marvel at; the Millennium Seedbank (worth a visit on a rainy day); and wonderful walks throughout the year. This is Kew in the countryside at its best!
Get there as soon as possible to see all the magnificent magnolias in flower, rhododendrons and a lot more besides. The shots below are just a snapshot of what's in flower now.

Open daily from 10.00 -18.00 (Last entry 17.00). The Millennium Seedbank is a working scientific hub that aims to conserve 25% of the world's plant species by 2020. Admission is £12.50 for adults, free to National Trust members.
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Wednesday Walkabout - Spring gems in Sussex and Kent - Great Dixter, Gravetye Manor, Michelham Priory and The Walled Nursery

April 12, 2017, 2:19 am
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Great Dixter in East Sussex is always worth a visit - it's a jewel garden filled with colour throughout the season
Spring is sprung and gardens around the garden are awash with colour. There's always an incredible display of tulips at Great Dixter at this time of year - which marks just the beginning of another season of extraordinary eye candy at this wonderful garden, where head gardener, Fergus Garrett reigns supreme to ensure that every visitor leaves ecstatic! He worked alongside garden guru and owner, Christo Lloyd for many years and carries on the tradition of vibrant planting established by his mentor. 
William Robinson lived at Gravetye Manor and created the original gardens - Tom Coward has brought them back to life during his successful seven-year stewardship here
And not too far away, there's another amazing Sussex garden, under the stewardship of Tom Coward, who worked alongside Fergus at Great Dixter, before moving seven years ago to another legendary garden - Gravetye Manor - one-time home of William Robinson. Tom has done a remarkable job of restoring and rejuvenating the landscape here and it's a must-see garden - a great place to have afternoon tea and then take a wander round. 
Geoff Stonebanks' garden is an utterly delightful micro garden overlooking the sea in East Sussex
Another Sussex gem that opens regularly for charity, thanks to the extraordinary energy and effort of owner, Geoff Stonebanks, is Driftwood in Seaford, but check opening dates below. This is a magical micro garden overlooking the sea, filled with interesting plants and quirky, interesting ideas - rest assured, you'll never catch them all in a single visit. Check out Geoff's webpage here to see when the garden's open. You won't be disappointed.
Michelham Priory is in the heart of the East Sussex countryside near Hailsham and well worth a visit
Michelham Priory, near Hailsham is flourishing under head gardener, James Neal's care and is alive this week with tulips. A really good choice for children over the Easter holidays as there is a number hunt to keep them occupied and masses of space to run around in, while the grown ups can enjoy the bucolic setting of the priory and its grounds.
The Walled Nursery at Hawkhurst, Kent has a wonderful cafe if you're out plant hunting
And if you're putting your best foot forward on the hunt for plants and want to follow an interesting restoration project that's underway, head for The Walled Nursery near Hawkhurst in Kent, close enough to combine with Great Dixter or Sissinghurst. There's delicious food at The Winery Cafe on site and some interesting plants.
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Wednesday Walkabout - Driftwood, East Sussex

April 18, 2017, 4:30 pm
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Geoff Stonebanks' garden is definitely one for the "Wishlist" this summer - Driftwood is a tiny plot in Seaford, East Sussex, filled with innovative ideas and perfect planting. It opens from 1 June for groups, by arrangement and on designated days for charity (see website link above for details). Keep your eyes open and don't miss the finer details of this extraordinary garden. Every penny raised from openings goes to charity and Geoff has already collected more than £76,000.  You certainly won't be disappointed when you visit and you know your donation is going to a good cause. Happy visiting!
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