Mike and Christine, who is a professional garden designer horticultural trainer and incorrigible plantswoman, have been designing gardens since 1987 and the Birkheads Secret Garden is their piece de resistance.

The Birkheads Secret Gardens has twenty-six different gardens set in three acres. The actual Secret Garden is one of the first that visitors see, nearest to the reception centre.

Christine and Mike have created the Well Garden with flowers, heathers, shrubs and paving slabs. It lies at one end of the Millennium Avenue with the Bowes Railway Garden, containing shrubs in a paved square at the other.

Visitors can travel along the Blue and Yellow Border, the Snowdrop Walk and the Barrel Border to the Standing Stones.

There is the Willow Wheel standing next to the Spider's Web with David's Seat overlooking the magnificent Goose Meadow, which has to be seen to be believed.

Birkheads has a stupendous wildlife sanctuary near the Gold and Silver Border.

A Willow Dome near the Autumn Border provides an idea shelter in which visitors can relax and reflect on the parts of the gardens that they have already seen.

Later there is the Mediterranean retreat, a shrub area with paving bridges over a stream and other water features. The sound of rushing water makes this an ideal area for visitors to sit and contemplate things.

A Spring Sanctuary stands next to Treasure Island with the Tunnel Boarders beyond this. This is the area where the gardens' polythene greenhouse tunnels are situated.

These polythene tunnels provide all the plants for the extremely well-stocked nursery.

Visitors often stop off at the Tea Terraces before going onto the three final gardens.

One of these is the Kitchen Herb Garden, which has a mass of all the culinary herbs that are used in various cuisines throughout the world.

The Topiary Garden is simply just a living tribute to the artistic skills of these craftsmen.

The Wildlife Pool is surround by grass and shrubs, which attract many kinds of indigenous wildlife.

There is a gift shop in the reception area with a coffee shop close by. The Birkheads Secret Gardens have a large central toilet block.

An old grape vine in the summerhouse provides an ideal shelter under which thirsty visitors can relax after enjoying the uniquely tranquil atmosphere of these unusual gardens.

Birkheads Secret gardens have a selective nursery that both grows and sells the plants, which have proved themselves sufficiently hardy to survive and even prosper on this site which is exposed to the weather on all sides and 650 feet above sea level.

The Secret Gardens are open from 10:00 to 17:00 on Tuesdays to Sundays. They remain closed on Mondays with the exception of bank holidays.

Birkheads Secret Gardens can be reached by leaving the A1 onto the A692 and following the signs for Sunniside before catching sight of the signs leading to the gardens.

Many tourists visit the neighbouring Tanfield Railway or Causey Arch after leaving the Secret Gardens.

It has a very special atmosphere due to the relaxed style of gardening that gives a freedom to the planting, which is both exuberant and informal. The garden, which has been featured on Television and in books is loved by many people, who visit it time and time, again for its beauty, colour and scents.

Chesters Walled Garden has one of the largest accumulations of herbs in the UK and is home to the National Collections of both Thyme and Marjoram. This herb garden has medicinal, culinary, aromatic and dye herbs. The Roman Herb Garden displays the herbs that were grown here during the Roman Occupation. The famous Thyme Banks becomes a Persian carpet of colour during the summer.

The garden has a series of Knot gardens a features a selection of blowsy, really old-fashioned roses.

Chesters Walled Garden displays flower-filled borders that last well into the autumn with grasses, seed heads and rose hips.

The site has always been run organically and it attracts a great diversity of wildlife. Northumberland is the last stronghold of the red squirrel in England and many of these delightful creatures can be seen in the surround woodlands.

It has a specialist nursery, which sells a wide range of herbs and unusual herbaceous plants. It offers wildflowers and old-fashioned roses from David Austin. Many of the rarer plants that are offered for sale can be seen growing at Chesters Walled Garden.

The Old Potting Shed Shop offers a tempting selection of vegetable seeds, terracotta pots and other gifts for gardeners, cards that have been hand-made by local artists, jams and honeys as well as ice creams and fruit drinks for those hot days. There are interesting and informative talks and garden tours available for groups by prior arrangement

Chesters Walled Garden is open from 10:00 to 17:00 daily from March to October with reduced opening times during the winter months.

The garden is situated off the B6318 road near Chollerford in North Tynedale. More information can be obtained from 01434 681483

Location

In the northwest corner of piedmont park in the heart of midtown.

You can enter by car or on foot from Piedmont Avenue at the pardon between14thstreet and Monroe dr., or use MARTA train.

Disabled Facilities

All areas are accessible to visitors with disabilities but strollers have to be left outside the Faqua conservatory.

International Visitors Facilities

30-minute audio tour of the Faqua conservatory in five languages:German, French, Spanish, Japanese, and English they are available at the museum shop for$2only.

Times of Availability

April-October (Tuesday-Sunday from9am to7pm)

November - March (Tuesday-Sunday from9am to6pm)

Closed on Mondays and all days thanks giving,Christmas and New Year's Day.

Prices

Best prices are $10 for adults $7 for seniors $5 for students and free for children under the age of six.

Annual membership (individuals):$40

Annual membership (families):$60

Must See

1. Museum shop: It opens at 10 am filled with grand collections of garden books, hard to find garden supplies, seeds, bulbs, wedding gifts, jewelry , wind chimes and greenhouse live plants such as orchids, exotic succulents, ferns, carnivorous and beautiful house plants plus much more other stuff.

2. Sheffield botanical library: Holds over 3000 books and more than 60 periodicals on all aspects pf gardening and horticulture, the books cant be removed or checked out.

Special Events

You can rent the magnificent garden for private parties, weddings and co-operate meetings.

Every month you can witness the succulent blooming of a number of exotic flowery plants.

Hot spots

1. Indoor glass gardens.

2. Outdoor breathtaking gardens.

3. Children's garden: with water play area, mazes, slides, crawl thru caterpillar, beehive, gnomes, and dinosaur with eggs to discover in the sand.

4. Niki De Phalle exhibit: beautiful gardens , forests, exotic birds and many sculptures for kids to climb and play with.

5. Orchid exhibit: you might find it a bit expensive but it's worth it you will see rare kinds of orchids and all other kinds of colorful velvety magical orchids.

6. Chihueli exhibit: A famous exhibit that contains 70 pieces of gall sculptures that will amaze you and sweep you off your feet don't miss it because it opens just one night per week.

In the end I can only tell you if you don't believe me come see for yourself and thank me later.

Their mission is to connect people with plants and to encourage them to take care of them. Also, to let them know how important the plants on our daily living.

Because of its outstanding dedication of the people behind this since it was started in 1951, its artistic presentation and real work of art, the garden becomes the favorite destination for more than 55 years. They are believed to be the outstanding resource of the country.

The people who are behind the garden's success and its highly acclaimed study on plants, they share a wealth of information and educate the people as well to be more inspired and learn while they're exploring the gardens.

There are more events and exhibits to inspire the guests especially those who love plants and flowers. Also, there are more items at the gift shop like unusual tools, fountains, seeds, vases, books, jewelry, soaps and stationary products, as well as gardening gift items for adults and children that you can purchase if you want to avail.

They offer the complete garden experience and give you education about plants and most importantly, how to preserve and conserve the plants around us for it ads beauty in our environment.

This park is also home to the oldest Manuka tree and the largest Pohutukawa tree in Auckland and from this garden, you can see the city wharf, the railroad in and out of Auckland, Judge's Bay, Parnell Baths and across the harbour towards Devonport. It is very centrally located. To see the best blooms it is recommended that you visit from October to April. It is very beautiful at this time of year and admittance is free.

There are also many photo opportunities to be had here and several walkways to explore and enjoy. The roses are many and varied with a range of older varieties as well as new ones.

This garden is significant because it used to be a quarry and up until 1964 was an eyesore for the residents of Mount Eden and Epsom. Jack Clark, a horticulturist with vision had set about transforming this five acre blemish on the landscape into a haven for the enthusiastic gardener and a sanctuary for the birds. He and fifteen other volunteers converted the old quarry into an award winning Auckland Garden. It is a safe haven for the shy Fantails and when walking through these gardens you will see that they are very much in abundance as are the cheeky Tui birds. These gardens are a national showplace now and are maintained and developed by volunteer workers who give freely of their time and labour.

This is a map of the garden which is made up of paths whose names are a commemoration of Society members who were prominent in developing that particular area.

The terrain can be tiresome for some, as it goes up to lookouts and down steep inclines but there is a wheelchair available and access along the paths is generous. There is a drinking fountain on one of the paths and a café to sit down and enjoy the scenery and a have a tasty lunch. The facilities are very welcoming as are the people who are working here. There are plenty of seats along the way so you can sit and enjoy the birdsong and the quiet of nature. If you are into photography there are many photo opportunities to take advantage of too. It would be easy to spend some time here.

The plants of year round interest would have to be the native ferns, Rhododendron vireya,Palms, Conifers and Bromeliads. This garden has the largest and most varied collections of Camelias in the country. There are horticultural shows hosted throughout the year and of course varied seasonal attractions.

For further information about the garden go to Eden Garden.

It is present between Richmond and Kew in southwest London. It is the largest botanical research and educational institution with large income. It is the oldest historical garden in the UK. The size of the gardens increased over the years. The Temperate house present in it is the largest Victorian glasshouse in existence.

In 1987 Princess Diana opened the third major conservatory of Kew Gardens called the Princess of Wales conservatory. In the same it lost hundreds of trees in a hurricane. UNESCO had put the Kew Gardens on the list of World Heritage Sites in July 2003.

It has one of the most important seedbanks, and comprehensive collection of plants. It has largest botanical collections in the world with books, botanical illustrations, pictures etc.

An attractive structure in the Kew Gardens is the Great Pagoda, built in the time of William Chambers, in the year 1762. William Chambers was the director of Kew Gardens at that time. This Pagoda is design imitation of the Chinese Taa. It has Ten stories, each is an octagonal storey finished with a projecting roof.

Royal Botanical Gardens or Kew Gardens (usually referred to as) is a great attraction for visitors with many different sites and structures with pleasing plants in providing a green environment.