Gardens
Find inspiration from gardens of all sizes both in the UK and internationally
Sissinghurst head gardener Troy Scott Smith on his vision for the garden
In 1930, the writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband Harold Nicolson bought an old farm in Kent and set about creating a garden that has become one of the best loved and most visited in the world. In the lead-up to the garden's centenary in 2030, head gardener Troy Scott Smith muses on the garden's enduring appeal - and outlines his vision for the garden. Images by John Campbell
Behind the scenes at Sissinghurst: springtime in the most-loved garden in the world
Sissinghurst’s head gardener Troy Scott Smith guides us through the jobs that he and his team do in spring. Images by John Campbell
The French botanist championing naturalistic gardening on the importance of preserving ecosystems
Meet French botanist Véronique Mure who is championing naturalistic gardening, on the importance of preserving ecosystems and ensuring plants have a living soil. Words Louisa Jones
From egg rolling to flower wreaths: brilliant things to do at Easter in the garden
Celebrate Easter with these fun activities to do in the garden with your friends and family
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Get inspiration for intriguing bulbs to plant from this bulb-rich garden for spring created by expert growers
With a passion for collecting bulbs and alpine plants Rod and Jane Leeds have created a garden that is brimming with life and colour in spring. Words John Hoyland, photographs Richard Bloom
The best bulb suppliers 2024: where to buy bulbs online
If you're looking to buy bulbs online or want to to visit a garden nursery in the UK to buy your bulbs for the year ahead, here is a selection of some of the best bulb suppliers both in the UK and Europe.
The best gardening aprons for durability, protection and style
Our pick of long aprons for extra protection in the garden
The world's most extreme trees grow in the fiercest conditions. But should you plant them in your garden?
Faced with a warming climate, many gardeners are thinking carefully about resilient plants for their garden. But what about three of the world's most extreme trees?
They grow like weeds at this time of year but these tiny flowers can look beautiful in a spring garden
The vivid-blue, starry-eyed, forget-me-not flowers of many members of the Boraginaceae family makes them unforgettable and there are plenty of options for adding their appeal to your garden
Rural
A beautiful spring garden around a Grade-I listed manor house in the Cotswolds
Tucked away in the countryside, this historic manor is homes to acres of lush gardens, diverse flowers and plants, and elegant design. Words by Stephanie Mahon. Photographs by Jason Ingram.
Arabella Lennox-Boyd's garden at Gresgarth Hall
Over the past 40 years the landscape designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd has turned her Lancashire garden into magical place. Words Matthew Reese, photographs Jason Ingram.
Legendary nurserywoman Elizabeth Strangman's garden showcases her signature hellebores and a wealth of beautiful spring plants
After closing her renowned nursery, Elizabeth Strangman has poured her energies into developing her private garden, which showcases a wealth of plants beginning with her signature hellebores. Photographs Nicky Flint
Meet the gardeners
'It will be a world in itself' legendary designer Piet Oudolf on plans for RHS Wisley's immersive Glasshouse Borders
The Dutch designer Piet Oudolf visited the site of RHS Garden Wisley's Glasshouse borders ahead of their renovation and spoke to Gardens Illustrated about what people can expect.
Gardening for wildlife doesn’t have to mean untidy: meet designer Will Tomson
As director at Sheffield-based design studio Creative Cultivation, Will Tomson designs and creates sustainably built wildlife gardens and natural swimming ponds. Portrait Andrew Montgomery.
Inspiring female garden designers in British history
Here, we list some of the most inspiring female gardeners and garden designers in British history for International Women's Day
Gardens to visit
Visiting a beautiful garden can be a wholly enriching experience. The benefits of visiting a garden – from mental health right through to exercise – are huge, and garden days out are perfect ways to have fun on your own, or as an entire family.
Regardless of how, and whoever you visit with, we have a host of suggestions of which gardens to visit, from gardens for the season, through to the gardens that are in full bloom and at their best each month. We have collated lists of the best gardens to visit with the help of our experts and many years of visiting gardens all around the UK, and beyond. We have gardens organised by theme, days out and local area, so you should find something for wherever you are and whatever garden experience you are looking for.
Enjoy our comprehensive guide to the best gardens to visit in the UK.
A spectacular spring garden in bloom: the trees, shrubs and early flowering perennials of Malverleys
Malverleys’ head gardener Matthew Reese explains the importance of trees, shrubs and early flowering perennials for creating a dynamic planting scheme to carry the garden throughout the year. Words Matthew Reese. Photographs Jason Ingram.
Gardens to visit in March
Gardener and plantsman Keith Wiley shares his favourite gardens to visit in March.
This blank rectangular plot was transformed into a field of dreams by Piet Oudolf at a Somerset art gallery
Piet Oudolf has transformed a blank, rectangular plot
into a colourful, perennial meadow full of character
at the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in Somerset
Gardens of the world
Worldwide gardens you need to see
Spanish landscape architect Lur's test bed garden
The garden of Spanish landscape architecture practice Lur acts as a test bed for their exciting approach to planting. Photographs by Claire Takacs
A designer’s own wild family garden by the ocean in Australia, with eco credentials and colourful planting
In southeastern Australia, a family of four horticulturists has created a dreamy new garden by the ocean, with captivating combinations of native and exotic plants. Words Georgina Reid, images Claire Takacs
Europe’s largest roof garden tops an old car factory and frames the famous test track seen in The Italian Job
The largest roof garden in Europe sits upon the former Fiat factory in Turin, around a rooftop test track that hosts exciting art and architecture. Words Annie Guilfoyle, photographs Claire Takacs
Urban gardens
Amazing gardens from towns and cities
A green corridor in the heart of Sheffield | What is Grey to Green? The initiative bringing colour to Sheffield city centre
The city of Sheffield's green makeover is all thanks to a groundbreaking environmental strategy. Words Jodie Jones, photographs Richard Bloom
Inspiring spaces | A wildlife-friendly garden for lovers of mid-century design
Designer Barbara Samitier has transformed an urban orchard into a stylish, wildlife-friendly garden for a couple who love mid-century design as much as they love nature. Photographs Annaïck Guitteny
Exotic planting brings Californian style to Adam Sykes's London garden
Exotic evergreens provide structure for diverse planting in soft greens and whites, taking a London garden to West Coast America. Words Matt Collins, photographs Jason Ingram