If you dream of finding some inspiring gardens, in a beautiful part of the world which you can enjoy with a lovely group of people and leave most of the organising to someone else (apart from booking some accommodation and the transport to France that is)… I think you’ll find that
French Gardens Today will be the answer! If you want a totally organised tour they can also cater for this too in association with Cricketer Holidays.
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Just over a week ago now, I had the pleasure of working with Clare Whately of French Gardens Today on her new garden tour of some of the most beautiful gardens in northern Brittany. We had a fabulous few days and visted some beautiful gardens - The first was Les Jardins de Kerdalo - created by the late Prince Peter Wolkonsky - and now in the extremely capable and skilled hands of his daughter Isabelle Vaughan and her husband Timothy Vaughan - a truly stunning garden...
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The incredible bark of Arbutus andrachnoides
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The interesting trunk of the stunning Exchorda x macrantha "The Bride"
I think the photos speak for themselves!
This particular tour is being repeated next year again but in from the 10-11th May 2011, so don't miss out on a real treat. For more information email Clare - mailto:clare@frenchgardenstoday.co.uk.
The next garden we went to was slightly more inland - the Grand Launay - this garden is only open sur rendez vous - a very special garden with some incredible ideas and planting - created by Jean Schalit who has definitely dared to be different - some amazing examples of pruning and topiary too - an inspiration!
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A resting place to sit and contemplate and soak in the atmostphere of this special place.
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Day 2 of our tour took us up to the coast to one completely private garden which will remain a surprise for any of you booking on the tour in May as the owners would prefer that the garden remain private - a total delight. The other garden which we visited on day 2 was fabulous - and only open on Sunday mornings by prior reservation and is by a guided tour only - The Jardin du Pellinec - the variety of trees and shrubs and perennials is incredible here and especially as this garden was only started just 10 years ago - the setting is very special with views out to sea and you have that sense of being completely cosseted by the rich flora and fauna.
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This photo of these beautiful Japanese Anenomes seemed like the fitting photo for the end of this posting!