Favorite gardens of Europe
 

Forgive me if this duplicates any posts in recent history, but I'd like to ask a question similar to the one about favorite cathedrals in Europe: Which gardens are your favorites, and why? <BR> <BR>I, for example, love the less formal Mediterranean gardens, with fountains, pools, and architectural accents -- rather than topiary or rigidly symmetrical organization of paths. Thus, I was enchanted with the Alcazar gardens in Seville. <BR> <BR>What are others'favorites, preferences, memories? <BR>

My vote: Keukenhof, near Lisse, the Netherlands, at tulip time.

The Gardens of Generalife in Granada, Spain (next to The Alhambra)- The Moors loved nature and water and this inmense garden is designed so you hear and see water running at all times and displays of different and exotic flora for every season. Unforgetable! <BR> <BR>Cawdor Castle near Inverness, Scotland <BR>The most romantic garden I have ever seen! Just beautiful...

Have to mention Versailles, just for the fountains. <BR> <BR>Otherwise, I'll never know whose garden it was in Athens, can't even tell you how to find it -- but I remember peeking over a wall to see more of a beautiful tree covered with purple flowers and seeing the most charming town-house sort of garden with trickling fountain, small palms, and all those purple flowers -- reminded me of wisteria. Anyone know what it was?

All those formal, castle-y gardens are pretty impressive, but I'm partial to those lovely English cottage gardens that appear to be organized chaos. <BR>For bizarre, the cactus garden in Monaco

I think that the gardens at Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna are lovely. The palace is at one end, Roman ruins are atop a hill at the other, a spacious open garden in the center with lots of paths throughout amazing beds of flowers, tree alles to the sides, etc etc etc. It's overwhelming. <BR> <BR>Also, the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg are really quite beautiful and a good place to find a bench and people watch. These gardens can be seen in the famous Do Rei Mi scene when Maria and the children dance and sing around various Salzburg sites in the Sound of Music movie.

I'm really surprised that Monet's garden at Giverny didn't make the top 5. <BR>A personal favorite for me, though, is the garden of the Chateau of Marquessac, Deptartment of the Dordogne, France. It's really more a little woods than a garden, with lovely views of the Dordogne River, and the villages of Domme and La Roque-Gageac in the distance.

Maria: the purple blossoms possibly were a variety of clematis.

I'd like to cast my vote for Villa D'Este--outside of Rome. Wonderful sculptures and fountainss, which I believe are supplied by ancient aqueducts.

I havent had the luxury of going to France - but I did get the chance to see Regeant's Park in London - in June, when the roses were in bloom. There's nothing prettier than an english rose. And, the gardens at Warwick Castle are outstanding also.

I havent had the luxury of going to France - but I did get the chance to see Regeant's Park in London - in June, when the roses were in bloom. There's nothing prettier than an english rose. And, the gardens at Warwick Castle are outstanding also.

I havent had the luxury of going to France - but I did get the chance to see Regeant's Park in London - in June, when the roses were in bloom. There's nothing prettier than an english rose. And, the gardens at Warwick Castle are outstanding also.

I havent had the luxury of going to France - but I did get the chance to see Regeant's Park in London - in June, when the roses were in bloom. There's nothing prettier than an english rose. And, the gardens at Warwick Castle are outstanding also.

Stourhead Gardens in England on a misty day in late spring. I knew nothing about gardening when I visited (and very little now), but the combination of lake, architecture,plants and trees (some very exotic) was magical.

Hi Cassandra, <BR> I was blown away when I saw Abbey Gardens on the Isle of Tresco on the Scilly Isles. I had seen pictures of them before I left on my trip, but I never expected them to be quite as impressive as they were. It seemed so strange to see a sub-tropical garden 28 miles off the coast of England. <BR> My other favorite is Bodnant Gardens in Northern Wales. They are also very beautiful and cover a large amount of area. I never was much of a garden admirer, but my trips to Europe have changed me. <BR>

Maria and Al - <BR>... or maybe a Jacaranda Tree. <BR> <BR>I'm glad you asked this question, Cassandra. Can anyone tell me where the best formal gardens are in Italy? <BR> <BR>

We just returned from an English garden tour in June, and my favorite garden is now Sissinghurst. The white garden was absolutely stunning, and the colors in the other garden rooms were wonderfully balanced and exciting. I came away inspired by a great work of art, and with a new love of roses.

Surprised so few Italian gardens are mentioned. <BR> <BR>And, am I right in thinking there are two Tivolis?

Yup. Two Tivolis... the park in Denmark and the garden etc... in Italy. <BR> <BR>My vote? Hampton Court mostly for the roses in early spring.

In St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat the gardens at the Ephrussi de Rothchild Foundation are very special. The setting overlooking the sea is magnificent. <BR>

I've greatly enjoyed many of the above mentioned gardens...but think my favorite (so far!) is the gardens of Hever Castle in southeast England.

I think Cassandra and April had great questions. Any Takers?<BR><BR>ttt

I have to second Stourhead, but I'm going to put Sissinghurst at the top of my 'to visit' list. Actually, I've memories of numerous tiny gardens in the Cotswolds. The reason I'm posting is to add a small public garden called 'The Garden of the Five Senses' in Yvoire, France, on Lac Leman. Each garden room highlights plants which appeal to one of the five senses. Fascinating and a good excuse to visit that little town. J.

Maira, you've been delving into the archives.<BR><BR>I remember a lovely warm late summers day, my husband and I took a train out towards the Bois de Bologne, outside Paris. Somewhere there is a lovely garden where we picnicked and wandered around all the wonderful roses. I recall there were peacocks too. Sorry I can't remember the name, it was 18 years ago.<BR><BR>Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin has wonderful gardens. I remember walking around the lake on a bitingly cold autumn day as the leaves were turning and beginning to fall, even longer ago.<BR><BR>For some Tuscan gardens I have an inspiring book,` Villas and Gardens of Tuscany by Sophie Bajard & Raffaello Bencini. It has wonderful photos. Some are open to the public and others can be visited on request. I'm happy to provide details.

Maria<BR><BR>Could the mystery flower be bougainvillea? It's very abundant in Greece and can give some magnificent displays of deep reds and purples.<BR><BR>Rob

Arley Gardens in Cheshire, Bodnant in Wales and Inverewe in Scotland.

Sissinghurst, Sissinghurst, Sissinghurst. Stourhead, I agree, is also beautiful. But, the little cottage gardens in Dorset, inside their stone walls, as you are driving through the villages are the ones which make me truly envious. Balleylickey Manor House on Bantry Bay has beautiful hydrangeas and strange trees overlooking the ocean.

Yes Sissinghurst is a dream for garden lovers- and there are many other good gardens nearby too. Scotney Castle, Pashley Manor, Marle Place, and many more. I haven't visited it but Ninfa in Italy is supposed to be stunning. Any votes or opions on it?