Abbotsbury Gardens Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Dorset.

Photo © 2007 Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd

Rare plants from all over the world grow in the sub-tropical gardens. A formal garden with its long walk and fine collection of old roses leads into the southern hemisphere with its zone of herbaceous plants, perennials and Australian flora. National Collection of Hoheria.

Athelhampton House and Gardens Athelhampton, Dorchester, Dorset.

Photo © www.athelhampton.co.uk

Twenty acres of walled gardens with rare plants and fountains surrounded by the River Piddle. The House has been owned by the Cooke family for three generations Patrick & Andrea Cooke now run Athelhampton and they have managed much of the restoration and improvement you see today.

Bohunt Manor Gardens Liphook, Hampshire.

A beautiful garden with rare specimen trees, herbaceous borders, flowering shrubs and tame water fowl. Rhododendron, bulbs and wild flowers. Woodland and lakeside walks.

Borde Hill Haywards Heath, West Sussex.

Photo © Borde Hill 2007

A Tudor mansion dating from 1580, provides a superb backdrop to the formal 17 acre Garden which flows into a series of linked ‘garden rooms’, each boasts its own distinctive character and style. Set within 200 acres of spectacular parkland, form and planting design ranging from the formality of the Italian or Rose Gardens to the lush and sub-tropical drama of the Round Dell and the peaceful dappled shade of the Garden of Allah. Spring is heralded by magnificent magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas, blending into summer with fragrant roses and herbaceous plants. The Garden is a plantsman’s paradise, with rare trees and shrubs introduced by the great plant collectors over a 100 years ago mainly from the Himalayas, Andes and Tasmania. Lakeside walks to explore and picnic. The Garden is open from April until the end of October.

Compton Acres Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset.

Photo © www.comptonacres.co.uk

Ten acres of mature feature gardens. Each of the large gardens are unique and reflect the beauty, style and inspiration of the 1920’s Arts and Crafts movement. Typically the gardens reflect the fashion for creating a ‘Room Outside’ that offers a personal vista and experience, dependant on where one stands within the gardens. The rock garden is one of the largest in the country, whilst the Japanese and Italian gardens are amongst the finest in England.

Exbury Gardens Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire.

Photo © www.exbury.co.uk

The gardens were created in the 1920s by Lionel de Rothschild and is one of the finest woodland gardens in the world with rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias forming the basis of the display. There are many recent developments to admire including new ponds, a bamboo grove, a lily pond, a rose garden and several areas of new planting.

Furzey Gardens Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire.

Photo © www.furzey-gardens.org

Establised in 1922, Furzey Gardens has 8 acres of delightful informal landscape with extensive views over the New Forest towards the Isle of Wight. Beautiful banks of azaleas and rhododendrons, heathers, ferns, water garden, the strange bottle brush tree, flaming Chilean Fire trees and many other features including 3 delightful children's play log cabins.

The gardens have an international reputation in horticultural and botanical circles with much to interest the visitor all year round. The Forest Cottage is believed to have been built in the 16th century of timbers from the Tudor boatyards at Lymington. Of particular interest is the original fireback and bread oven. In recent years students from the Minstead Training Project have been involved in some extensive regeneration and replanting and thousands of new plants have been added to the collection. New work continues but always to enhance the garden’s unique natural ambience.

Gertrude Jekyll's Garden The Manor House, Upton Grey, Hampshire.

Photo © www.gertrudejekyllgarden.co.uk

Fifteen years ago this garden was nothing more than an unkempt jungle. Furthermore, the owners didn't realise when they bought the property, that underneath this jungle were the foundations of a gem of a garden. In fact it was the garden that Gertrude Jekyll had designed in 1908 for Charles Holme, a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement.

There are two main parts. The Formal Garden to the S.E of the house is geometrical in shape. Lines are straight, and the area is surrounded by yew hedging. Beyond the hedge lie the Nuttery, Orchard and Kitchen Garden. The Wild Garden lies to the N.W of the house. Planting is informal. Curved lines of the grass paths lead towards the pond where planting becomes more natural as it recedes from the house, blending with nature in the distance. But to get a better idea of this restored garden, please visit its web site.

High Beeches Gardens Haywards Heath, Handcross, West Sussex.

Photo © 2007 - 2008 High Beeches Gardens

Twenty seven acres of enchanting, peaceful landscaped woodland and water gardens with many rare plants, daffodils, bluebells, azaleas and a four-acre wildflower meadow. Glorious colours to be seen in the autumn. National Collection of Stewartia and the best natural wildflower meadow in Sussex.

Highdown Gardens Highdown Hill, Worthing, West Sussex.

Photo © 2007 Worthing Borough Council

A 9 acre chalkpit garden on the southern slope of Highdown Hill with rock plants and flowering shrubs which thrive on lime soil. There is a collection of spring bulbs and a rose garden, paeonies and autumn berries.The Chalk Garden at Highdown is the achievement of Sir Frederick and Lady Stern who worked for 50 years to prove that plants would grow on chalk. This was during a period when many expeditions were going out to China and the Himalayan regions collecting rare and beautiful plants.

The gardens look their best in Spring and early Summer when there is a colourful succession of spring bulbs such as Snowdrops, Crocus, Anemones and Daffodils followed by Paeonies and Bearded Iris.

Hilltop Garden Woodville, Stour Provost, Gillingham, Dorset.

Photo © www.hilltopgarden.co.uk

Hilltop's south facing garden is a gorgeous riot of colour and scent, the 250 year old thatched cottage barely visible amongst the greenery and flowers. Unusual annuals and perennials grow alongside traditional and familiar plants like phlox, roses, asters and dahlias boldly combine to make a spectacular display.

The focus of the garden is a massive oak around which the garden curves and flows, the paths and borders meandering away from the shade into the sun to fill every corner with interest and surprise. The garden has been recently featured on I.T.V.'s Garden Makers with Joe Swift.

Hillier Gardens and Arboretum nr. Romsey, Hampshire.
See Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum below.

Horn Park Gardens Tunnel Road, Beaminster, Dorset.

A garden specialising in all-season interest, with unusual plants, including eucryphia, embothryium, carpenteria, myrtle, salvias, tree lupins, as well as numbers of magnolias, escallonias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Many other plants and trees. Wild flower meadow listed as a site of nature conservation interest, with over 160 varieties, including many wild orchids.

Houghton Lodge Garden and Hydroponicum Stockbridge, Hampshire.

Photo © www.houghtonlodge.co.uk

A tranquil setting of spacious lawns and fine trees frames an 18th Century "Cottage Ornee" overlooking the unspoiled beauty of the River Test. Visitors can enjoy the contrast between the formality of the traditional walled kitchen garden with its heated greenhouses and hydroponicum (an exhibition of soilless horticulture) and the more natural areas beyond. Original trees, shrubs and under planting, typical of a late Eighteenth Century garden that has been planted in the 'Natural Style'. New walks recently opened through the ancient watermeadows where you can enjoy the wild life and natural flora of the river valley.

Ivy Cottage Garden Aller Lane, Ansty, Dorchester, Dorset.

An informal 1.5 acre cottage garden with stream, specialising in herbaceous perennials, moisture-loving plants, specimen trees. Featured several times on TV. Cars have to park in lane outside Ivy Cottage. Other features include well laid-out kitchen garden and raised beds for dwarf bulbs and alpines.

Kingston Maurward Gardens Kingston Maurward College, nr. Dorchester, Dorset.

Photo © www.kmc.ac.uk

Kingston Maurward Gardens are set deep in Hardy's Dorset and are listed on the English Heritage register of gardens. The 35 acres of classical 18th century parkland and lawns sweep majestically down to the lake from the Georgian house. The Edwardian gardens include a croquet lawn, rainbow beds, herbaceous borders and large displays of tender perennials including the National Collections of Penstemon (cvs.) and Salvia (tender). Stone terraces, balustrading and yew hedges have been used to create many intimate gardens and carefully planned vistas.

Knoll Gardens Hampreston, Wimborne, Dorset.

Photo © Neil Lucas/Dianna Jazwinski

These delightful gardens in 4 acres contain beautiful water gardens, ponds, waterfalls, streams, rockeries, herbaceous borders, woodland glens, formal plantings and many other features with rare and unusual plants. One of the country's most extensive collections of grasses can be found within Knoll’s informal English setting, clearly demonstrating how grasses can work in the visual context of a real garden. National Collections of Ceanothus (deciduous cvs.), Pennisetum and Phygelius.

Leonardslee Gardens Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex.

The Gardens are set in a superb landscape in a peaceful 240 acre valley withwalks around seven beautiful lakes. The gardens are a paradise in May, whenthe rhododendrons and azaleas are at their best, peaceful in summer, (an interesting wild-flower walk), and superb autumn colours. There is also a charming Rock Garden, a miniature one twelfth scale Victorian country estate, a fascinating Museum and history of the garden exhibition, a collection of Victorian cars and an Alpine House. Wallabies and deer live semi-wild in parts of the valley, and wildfowl on the lakes.

Mapperton Gardens Beaminster, Dorset.

Photo © www.mapperton.com

Gardens descending at 3 levels beside Tudor manor house, remodelled in 1660's. Italianate garden and fountain court. Fishponds, orangery and summer houses. Wild garden with specimen shrubs and trees. Fine views of Eggardon and Lewesdon hills.

Minterne Gardens Minterne Magna, Dorchester, Dorset.

Important rhododendron garden with many fine and rare trees, landscaped in 18th century with lakes, cascades and streams. The setting of Great Hintock House in Hardy's 'The Woodlanders'.

Mottisfont Abbey Garden (NT) nr. Romsey, Hampshire.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

The abbey and garden form the central point of an 809 ha estate which includes most of the village of Mottisfont, farmland and woods. A tributary of the River Test flows through the garden, forming a superb and tranquil setting for a 12th century Augustinian priory, which, after the Dissolution, became a house. It contains the spring or 'font' from which the place-name is derived. The magnificent trees, walled gardens and the National Collections of Platanus, Rosa (pre 1900 shrub roses), combine to provide interest throughout the seasons.

Mottistone Manor Gardens (NT) Isle of Wight.

Photo © NTPL / Martin Trelawny

The colourful herbaceous borders, flowering fruit trees and delightful sea views combine to make a perfect setting for the 16th and 17th century manor house. Organic kitchen garden. The manor and village lie at the centre of the Mottistone Estate, which offers footpath walks between downs and the coast.

Nymans Garden (NT) Handcross, nr. Haywards Heath, West Sussex.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

The Nymans Estate is the achievement of three generations of the Messel family. Created in the 20th century it is one of the great gardens of the Sussex Weald, internationally known for its beauty, atmosphere and collection of rare and important plants. There are wonderful views over the Sussex countryside towards the South Downs. Set amidst the romantic ruins of a Gothic mansion, it retains much of its distinctive family style and character in the historic collection of plants, shrubs and trees. These are reflected in the house and surrounding estate, including the woodland walks and wild garden.

Osborne House (EH) East Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Photo © www.english-heritage.org.uk

Queen Victoria's seaside retreat, Osborne House was built by Prince Albert, who was also very instrumental in the layout of the grounds. He even directed the planting of trees by semaphore. The gardens are marked by Italianate terraces, elegant statuary and fountains.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum nr. Romsey, Hampshire.

Photo © Hampshire County Council 2007

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens (formerly the Hillier Arboretum) was founded by the late Sir Harold Hillier in 1953 and is one of the World's largest collections of hardy trees and shrubs. The Gardens were given in trust to Hampshire County Council in 1977. It is their commitment that has helped to develop this collection of 42,000 plants with which now thrive in the various themed landscapes across 180 acres.

Spring brings an explosion of rhododendrons, magnolias, cherries and camellias, Autumn colour is spectacular, and Winter offers vivid colours of stems as well as fragrant witch hazels in the world's largest Winter Garden. Beauty and discovery throughout the year. National Plant collections of Carpinus, Cornus, Corylus, Cotoneaster, Hamamelis, Hilliers (Plants raised by), Ligustrum, Lithocarpus, Metasequoia, Photinia, Pinus (excl dwarf cvs.) and Quercus.

Spinners Garden Boldre, Lymington, Hampshire.

On a slope overlooking the River Lymington valley with azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, Japanese maples, hydrangeas, and other rare shrubs interplanted with a wide variety of choice woodland and ground cover plants. Adjoining internationally known nursery

The garden at this nursery contains a wide selection of the rarer and less common shrubs, trees and plants. Subject of three television programmes. Visited by representatives of the leading botanic institution abroad; National Aboretum USA, and the leading botanic institutions and gardens of the UK.

Ventnor Botanic Garden Undercliff Drive, Ventnor, Isle of Wight.

A 22 acre garden containing some 10,000 plants. Rare and exotic trees, shrubs, alpines, perennials, succulents and conifers. Also temperate house. Facilities for the disabled. Garden with raised beds containing highly scented plants.

Wakehurst Place (NT) Ardingly, nr Haywards Heath, West Sussex.

Photo © National Trust

Five hundred acres of walled and water gardens, woodland and wetland conservation area. Part of the Royal Botanical Gardens (Kew Gardens). Rare and exotic plants from the Himalayas and the Southern Hemisphere. National Collections of Hypericum (sect Androsaemum & Ascyreia), Nothofagus, and Skimmia.

West Dean Gardens West Dean College, nr. Chichester, West Sussex.

Photo © www.westdean.org.uk

West Dean is an extensive 90 acre downland garden with everything on a generous scale. There is a pergola, 90 metres long, as long as any pergola in England and a fully-planted kitchen garden of more than a hectare. The glasshouses with the exception of three are all heated, albeit not by Victorian stoves. This allows them to grow the large range of plants from melons to orchids, herbaceous borders and a much-admired water garden. Outside, there is a 18 hectare Arboretum, and a Park through which visitors can walk on a circuit of 4 kilometres. National Collections of Aesculus and Liriodendron.

West Green House Garden (NT) Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.

Photo © NTPL / Andrea Jones

Delightful gardens surrounding an early 18th century house of great charm. Herbaceous beds with wonderful colour combinations and superb ornamental kitchen garden.