Set deep in the lovely North Devon countryside, RHS Garden, Rosemoor has now come of age as a garden of national importance. Lady Anne Berry gifted Rosemoor to the RHS seven years ago, since when the original eight acres have been greatly developed. To the huge range of plants collected by Lady Anne, the RHS has added features such as the Formal Garden, extensive herbaceous borders, herb and cottage gardens, a potager, the Foliage and Plantsman’s Garden and extensive stream and lakeside plantings. Recent additions include the Mediterranean and semi-tropical plantings which have been thriving in the recent long hot summers and the newly planted Winter Garden. But what is perhaps the most popular feature of this delightful garden is the extensive rose garden, proving beyond doubt the lie that the West Country cannot produce beautiful roses. The original garden at RHS Garden Rosemoor was created by Lady Anne Berry, and is a true plantsman’s garden. The whole of Rosemoor is surrounded by woodland, and the acidic soil and valley-bottom location proffer their own challenges, as despite a generally mild climate, the garden is subject to frosts from October through to May. Highly ornamental gardens with shrubs, roses, perennials and bulbs were established during the first ten years of the gardens’ life, and now the emphasis has shifted to more extensive, long-term projects. For example, the surrounding woodlands have been purchased and are being carefully managed to reintroduce native trees and wild flowers – and of course encourage wildlife.