Spring is the perfect time to think about dusting off your gardening equipment and getting out in the sunshine to tidy up the lawns and flowerbeds. If you are looking for some inspiration for redesigning or reimagining your garden space this year, take a look at some of the most famous gardens from across the world:
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo
Japanese gardens conjure up images of romantic pink blossoms and serenity and that’s exactly what’s on offer at one of Tokyo’s most popular parks. Visit in springtime and the landscape transforms into an explosion of pink cherry blossom. Dating back to the 18th century, the park boasts traditional Japanese gardens, as well as a French and English garden.
Versailles Gardens, Versailles
Just to the west of the grandiose Versailles Palace lies the gardens of Louis XIV. Fountains, sculptures and stunning manicured lawns await visitors across an 800 hectare site. Whilst you won’t find many flowers in bloom, the Versailles Gardens is one of the best examples of a formal garden anywhere in the world. For tidying up your own lawn, invest in Mountfield Spares from a site like diyspareparts.com/parts/mountfield
Monet’s Garden, Giverny
The famous painter’s garden was given a Japanese water garden makeover when he bought the property in 1883. He preferred free growing flowers arranged by colour and so created a stunning wisteria covered bridge and planted lilies to create a soft romanticism like his paintings. A visit here also allows visitors access to around 250 oil paintings on view.
As you can imagine, these Dutch gardens are blooming with tulips in a cacophony of riotous colours. Between April and May, over seven million flowers bloom, making this site the biggest flower garden in the world. Every possible colour is on display, and visitors will see tulips, carnations, lilies, orchids, daffodils and roses galore. The scent in the air is incredible!
New York Botanical Garden
Situated in the Bronx, these gardens boast 650 varieties of just roses in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden! Established well over a century ago, the gardens spread over 50 acres of old woodland and include an azalea garden and wetland trail among other sights.
Bodnant Gardens, Colwyn Bay
Set in the rolling hills of Wales over 80 acres, visitors will discover lily ponds and rose gardens alongside a National Trust property. One of the main attractions is the Laburnum Arch which has been in place for more than a century.