Well! Today (June 27) finally the DVD of Keukenhof Gardens arrived in the mail ordered on May 12 and intended as a June 20 anniversary gift. I had decided the gardens were so spectacular I wanted this visual record. (See trip report Springtime in Holland and Belgium). But isn't this longer than one might expect for delivery to Missouri?

My question though is this: what gardens in Europe or anywhere else have you seen that are as beautiful as Keukenhof? I think of a few outstanding floral displays but none prettier and as extensive overall.

Ozarksbill [email protected]

HI, Ozarksbill. We met you at Drury a few years ago. Don't know the Kekenhof, but we had a pleasant stroll in Queen Mary's Rose Garden recently.

Mainau Island in the middle of Bodensee (or Lake Konstanz). I've never seen anything like it.

http://www.mainau.de/htdocs/en/0101.htm

Well, Bodnant Gardens and Powys Castle in Wales come to mind. As I think of others I've seen, I'll come back.
Oh, I know South Africa isn't in Europe, but Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town are spectacular too.

I guess I shouldn't reply, since I haven't been to Keukenhof (yet).

But I do enjoy Longwood Gardens in Kennett Sq, PA; esp during Spring tulip time!
http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

Keukenhof Gardens are unique in their display as they are meant to provide a grand show over a rather limited period of time. But there are hundreds of gardens throughout Europe that give them a good run for the money.

I have spent the past 18 years searching out the best, large and small, world-class and simply beautiful, horticulturally exciting or historically important. I organize and lead garden tours for a large non-profit horticultural organization in the Pacific Northwest, as a volunteer. Have no fear, I'm not trying to promote my tours here - they sell out within 36 hours each time and I have long waiting lists of people eager to sign up. But here is a link to my website of images from the hundreds of gardens I've taken groups through: http://www.gardentouring.net/ If you click on 'More Collections' at the bottom of the home page, you can scroll down through the various sets and see what is available.

The British Isles are full of stunning, world-class gardens: from Sissinghurst, Penshurst Place, Hever Castle, Great Dixter, Wisley, Savill Gardens, Nymans, all south or southeast of London; Chatsworth, Biddulph Grange, Coughton Court, Newby Hall to the north; Hidcote, Sezincote, Kiftsgate in the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle; Bloom's of Bressingham and Beth Chatto Gardens; Mottisfont Abbey, Stourhead, Abbottsbury, Hestercombe, Knightshayes to the southwest; to say nothing of Cornwall, which includes Heligan, Trebah and the gardens at Tresco Abbey in the Scilly Isles.

In Scotland there are Inverewe, one of the best in the world, as well as Cawdor Castle, Crathes Castle and Arduaine, all well-endowed with flower-power.

In Northern Ireland you will find Castelwellan and Mount Stewart, another of the best. And in Wales you have the exquisite Bodnant and Powis Castle. The Republic of Ireland is filled with glorious gardens also, although many are smaller and private, but look at Powerscourt, Ilnacullin on an island in Bantry Bay, and Muckross House.

In Italy, there are the Borromean islands on Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella and Isola Madre, which are gardens. On Lake Como there are Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello and Villa Monastero. And in Lazio you will find Villa Lante north of Rome, as well as Villa D'Este in Tivoli.

France is also full of glorious gardens, with Villandry being one of the most visually stunning, especially in the autumn, and of course Giverny.

Wow, Julia1 really knows gardens! So many I haven't been to all over the world I'm sure. But no mention of Kew Gardens nor Hampton Court? Actually, I rank Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis a bit better than Kew. I agree about a few mentioned that we have seen, such as Powerscourt, Villa d'Este, certainly Kirstenbosch in S.A. Even so Keukenhof for sheer spectacular color is hard to beat.

stokebailey...so we met at Drury University here in Spfld, MO? Well how about that! Maybe at Institute for Mature Learning class? Jog my memory...enjoyed scanning your Fodors bio!

Any comments about the DVD taking 45 days for delivery?
Ozarksbill [email protected]

All the gardens that I know (and more) are mentioned by Julia1.

I think that they have sent the DVD by sea, not by air. I had a similar experience with a book that I ordered to receive it from USA to Israle. It took 4 MONTHS !!!

Hi, Ozarksbill. Glad to hear the vote for MO Botanical. St. Louis has a harder uphill struggle than Kew does, climatewise. We didn't bother to go to Kew recent visit because all of England was a garden.

My mother, Pat, was one of your mature learning cohorts. My girls and I were visiting with her; a man singing Negro Spirituals. What a great program.

Yes, Kew and Hampton Court are truly lovely as is Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver.

But, honestly, I have never seen anything like Mainau Island. It was one wow moment after another.

julia1 provided a great list but I'll add a few more, hopefully without duplication.

Visitors to Lisbon might enjoy the University of Lisbon's Botanic Garden. It is right in the city and can be a cool oasis on a hot day.

In the UK I'd recommend Westonbury Court Garden and Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

Cirencester Park, Oxford Botanic Gardens, Blenheim Palace and Waterperry Gardens (This I haven't visited but it looks interesting) in Oxfordshire.

Penshurst Place and Chartwell (Churchill's home) in Surrey(?).

Cambridge University Botanic Gardens and the garden next to the Cathedral in Bury St. Edmunds.

An extensive source for gardens throughout the world is:

http://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens

Save address. I won't tell you again.

Hi; We have been to a few of the gardens mentioned. The Montreal Botanical Garden 'may' rank with the best. Then there is Butchart gardens. So many great, unique gardens. Dick

I had a little fun perusing the gardenvisit website. For instance, there are 727 gardens listed in England, 451 US, 157 Italy, 141 France and 101 Scotland. No, I didn't count them, they already had.

Wow, I am truly impressed to note so many Fodorites enjoy visiting gardens around the world.
I would like someone to recommend one or two beautiful gardens I can visit in August in London. Not sure if that is a good month for colorful flowers.
Would love to start compiling my own list like Julia.
Cant wait to see the beauty in the gardens. Thanks

Jsmith, thanks for the website to gardens. I love gardens great and small. In fact, some of the choicest gardens I've visited have been some tiny little private ones.

I have had the good fortune to visit many of those listed by jsmith and earlier posters. Thanks to the list, maybe I'll get to see some more.

Thanks!

My favorite gardens in London are in Regent's Park. The Queen's rose garden is lovely.

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/r...park/about.cfm

Betty thanks for your suggestions.
You say the Queen's rose garden is lovely. I would really enjoy visiting it. So, can the public just walk into the queen's garden. Hope this is not a stupid question?
I am presuming it is near Buckingham Palace.
Please share more information as I am now putting it on my "to do" list for London in August.
Thanks again. This post has been educational.

ileen, it is in the Regent's Park. It is officially called Queen Mary's Garden.

Check out the link above for the Regent's Park and/or visit this link as well:

http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/qu...ys_rose_garden