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?