The greatest smallish garden I've ever seen has been Pam Lewis' Sticky Wicket. After a week of visiting glorious gardens in the South of England, this wildlife haven came as a soothing eye-opener as to how plants really behave when they are not coddled and pumped up with GrowMore. Pam follows a strictly environmentalist philosophy, but has at the same time created an incredibly enchanting, lovely, seductive garden.

It's the one I'd most like to go back to if I could.

I will never forget the amazement, wonder and exhilaration of visiting Hever Castle's gardens in England. Wandering upon the Italian garden and running around in the Yew maze were experiences that first fostered an interest in gardening. Manipulation of nature for pure beauty, pleasure and fun. See what I mean at http://www.hever-castle.co.uk/

Whilst it's not a garden in the true sense of the word. If you are in the UK Eden is certainly worth putting on your list of horticultural places to visit.

Rich

By far, the most amazing gardens in the world are at Kew. I wouldn't say that they are the most beautiful, but it really feels like the mecca of the collected plant world. The oldest indoor plant in the palm house, was planted in the 1700s. Their conservation efforts all over the world are so inspiring. I was there this Spring and the Magnolias were awesome. Other gardens that I love. The Montreal Botanical gardens are excellent, especially the Chinese gardens and the Bonsai collection is one one of the best in the world. The Tasmanian Botanical gardens were so interesting. Being a temperate country, they can grow plants that normally need very different environments like lemons and apples in the same orchard. I saw Banksia and Warratah for the first time and they were in bloom! Extraordinary! But I think my favorite garden is a 400 year old garden, that UNESCO protected in the village of Nikko Japan. Amazing! is all I can say. The Rhododedrons, the pruned Pine trees the water features, the pure tactile serenity. I have the best job. I design and build gardens for Spring Summer and Fall and in the winter I travel all over the world to see how things grow. Next year I am going to Nepal! Oh 2 more. The Jacaranda trees were in Bloom when I was in Tanzania in 1995. AWESOME! and one should never miss going to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom festival! which is happening right now! Tahnks for asking such a great question. All the best.

Beth - thanks so much for answering with such a fantastic response. I'd be happy to have visited any one of those gardens let alone all of them. You have obviously travelled!!