Gardening today is as much about travel and discovery as it is about what you can grow at home. More enthusiasts are planning journeys around gardens, seeking landscapes at their seasonal peak. This rise in ‘Horti-Culture’ travel reflects a desire to experience gardens as destinations, where plant collections, design innovation and cultural heritage come together.
This guide takes you on a year-long journey through world-class gardens, showcasing each at the moment when its flowers, trees and plants are most captivating. Alongside seasonal colour and standout collections, it highlights what to look for, planting strategies to study and the unique features that make each garden worth visiting.
January
Madeira Botanical Garden, Madeira, Portugal
Perched above Funchal, the Madeira Botanical Garden bursts with subtropical colour while much of Europe sleeps under frost. Terraced gardens and panoramic views frame aloes, succulents, hibiscus, bird of paradise and camellias in full bloom, their forms and textures glowing in the winter sun. Endemic species such as Jasminum azoricum and Geranium maderense, both awarded an RHS Recommeded: Award of Garden Merit, sit alongside exotic trees including sequoias, ginkgo and magnolias, offering inspiration in combining plants from different climates. Orchids, begonias, clivias and azaleas add seasonal drama, while artistic topiary and rare cycads provide sculptural interest.
“January is one of our most spectacular months,” says Duarte Barreto, Director of the Madeira Botanical Garden. “While many European gardens rest, here we celebrate the global diversity of plants in full bloom.”
February
Arboretum Kalmthout, Belgium
Winter comes alive at Arboretum Kalmthout with the fiery colours and sweet perfume of Hamamelis. Hundreds of witch hazel shrubs, some nearly a century old, curl their ribbon-like flowers in yellow, orange and red, transforming the 13.5 hectare arboretum into a winter festival of scent and colour. Naturalistic paths wind through thematic colour gardens – blue, white, yellow and red – and past a central pond with black swans.
Opposite the historic house, Russell Page and Piet Oudolf designed striking borders of Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs.
March
Garden of Bomarzo, Italy
Hidden within a woodland landscape in northern Lazio, the Garden of Bomarzo – also known as the Sacro Bosco – offers a captivating blend of art and nature. Founded in 1552 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, the three-hectare garden weaves monumental sculptures of mythical creatures and gods into its natural terrain, carved from local peperino stone. In March, the woodland trees begin to stir with new growth, their bare branches framing the enigmatic statues and adding to the garden’s mysterious, almost theatrical atmosphere.
Walking its meandering paths, visitors encounter a rich arboreal heritage, with A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Inside the cooled Flower Dome, cherry blossoms bring a taste of temperate spring to tropical Singapore. The Sakura floral display sequences early, mid and late-blooming varieties, extending flowering for up to four weeks. Prunus ‘Accolade’, with an RHS Recommended: AGM, provides a reliable flush of soft pink, while weeping forms such as Prunus x yedoensis ‘Shidare–Yoshino’ and Prunus itosakura ‘Pendula Rubra’, also RHS Recommended: AGM, add sculptural interest among the blooms.
In 2026, the display pays homage to Ishikawa Prefecture, home to Kenrokuen, with water features, a traditional samurai house and recreations of historic streets. These elements weave together horticulture and culture, creating a floral landscape that is both visually striking and full of subtle seasonal intrigue.
April
Giardini La Mortella, Italy
Spring awakens Giardini La Mortella with a first flush of colour. Terraces on The Hill and in The Valley lead visitors past dramatic volcanic rocks and along winding paths, opening onto views across the Bay of Forio. Exotic and rare plants show fresh growth throughout the two-hectare garden, while fountains, streams and ponds reveal emerging papyrus, young lotuses and tropical water lilies. Wander through the Victoria House to admire Strongylodon macrobotrys in bloom, pause in the Thai House among wisteria trees, bamboos and Japanese maples, or follow the stream to the Crocodile Pool, lined with olive trees and agapanthus foliage. Explore the slope of the Temple of the Sun, where proteas and Leucospermum are flowering in Ischia’s mild climate. Hidden gems, including the Nymphaeum and William’s Rock, reward those who stray from the main paths.
“This is a garden where music and plants coexist in harmony, in the vibrant Mediterranean landscape, thanks to the legacy of composer Sir William Walton and his wife, Lady Walton,” says Alessandra Vinciguerra, Director, Giardini La Mortella.
May
Babylonstoren, South Africa
As autumn warms the Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren delights visitors with its rich seasonal tapestry. The Healing Garden thrives with indigenous and exotic herbs – African wormwood, buchu and rue – many harvested for teas. Along the guava avenue mature specimens are loaded with vitamin C-rich fruit, framed by citrus and olive trees. In the sunlit Succulent House, quirky rosettes, dwarf trees and cascading pearls capture the imagination. Ancient cycads, including the rare Encephalartos woodii, rise like living dinosaurs, their glossy crowns and striking cones commanding attention.
“Our garden mesmerises everyone who visits. She has a calming effect; she makes you laugh. People relax here and feel safe,” says head gardener Alex Bosman.
Chanticleer, Pennsylvania, USA
May at Chanticleer bursts with exuberance as spring reaches its peak across 35 acres. Alliums punctuate borders with dramatic spheres, while tulips, camassias and late These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes.
Visitors can study colour theory, scale and succession, observing how abundance is managed with rhythm and restraint. May is when all planting, pruning and planning converge, producing a garden that is simultaneously lush, composed and inspiring.
June
Giardino di Ninfa, Italy
Set within the ruins of a medieval town in southern Lazio, Giardino di Ninfa is celebrated for its romantic, naturalistic planting. By June, roses dominate, with a rich collection of historic and modern species climbing walls, ruins, and pergolas, including Rosa banksiae, R. ‘Rambling Rector’ and R. Rosa ICEBERG ('Korbin') (both awarded an RHS Recommended: AGM), and rare cultivars such as R. ‘Albert Edwards’. Hydrangeas, jasmines and other flowering shrubs fill shaded borders, while the fresh foliage of maples, sweetgum, birch, walnut and copper beech provide structure and contrast.
The riverbanks are edged with gunnera and herbaceous plants, adding tropical drama. Ninfa’s layered ecosystem, ancient trees and flowing water create a sensorial experience, revealing a garden that is both horticulturally rich and intimately connected to history.
July
Park Güell, Spain
July brings Park Güell to life with Mediterranean colour and form. Winding paths and terraces climb the south-facing hillside, framed by Aleppo and stone pines, cypresses, palms and carob trees. Agapanthus, irises, rosemary, and lavender bloom across the terraces, while water dances along the monumental staircase and fountains.
From the lower terraces to the summit, the planting shifts: structured gardens near the entrance give way to more natural, woodland-like vegetation higher up. “There is a transition from traditional gardening to a type where the vegetation is more natural,” explains Francisco Javier Serrano, Head of the Brigade. Visitors follow the serpentine bench, climb the Dragon Stairway and pause to take in sweeping views of Barcelona and the sea. “Being part of preserving the vegetation in such an emblematic space is very rewarding,” says gardener Berta Martí.
Park Güell blends Gaudí’s monumental architecture with a dynamic planting palette, offering visitors bursts of colour, cool shade and a living garden shaped by over a century of careful stewardship.
August
Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Barbados
August is the lush, exuberant heart of the rainy season at Andromeda Botanic Gardens. Heat and rainfall drive rapid growth, and foliage plants take centre stage: philodendrons, monsteras and anthuriums surge alongside vividly coloured crotons and cordylines. It is the prime month for propagation, with A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.
Gardens of Versailles, France
In August, Versailles is at its summer peak. On the A room or building with large windows, originally designed for growing citrus fruits. Orangeries were particularly fashionable and prestigious from the 17th century to the 19th century, when citrus fruits were highly prized. These often ornate and beautiful buildings were sometimes also used as summerhouses and for growing other exotic, tender plants.
Late-summer plantings of double stock, carnations, lilies and agaves fill the air with fragrance. Since the seventeenth century, Versailles and Trianon have welcomed plants from scientific expeditions worldwide, and the Remarkable Trees Trail leads past thirty outstanding specimens, including the venerable Styphnolobium japonicum and the giant Platanus x hispanica, RHS Recommended: AGM. Away from the main axes, the King’s Garden, Queen’s Grove and Queen’s Hamlet reveal mosaiculture, roses and seasonal vegetables.
September
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa
September sees Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden at its spring peak, as the fynbos comes into flower against the dramatic slopes of Table Mountain. Along the Fynbos Walk, visitors encounter proteas, pincushions, conebushes, pagodas and Cape heaths, interwoven with reed-like restios and flowering geophytes including Watsonia and Chasmanthe. Beds beside the Main Lawn blaze with Namaqualand daisies (Dimorphotheca sinuata) and mesembryanthemums, their flowers opening from mid-morning on sunny days. The iconic Protea cynaroides (King Protea) is in bloom in the Protea Garden, while rare Cape bulbs are displayed in pots in the Conservatory and bulb terraces. As Roger Oliver, horticulturist at Kirstenbosch, explains, “For its sheer riot of colour, the buzz of insects and rich fragrances, no other season compares to spring.”
October
The Garden of St Erth, Victoria, Australia
October awakens The Garden of St Erth in a riot of spring colour. Daffodils, jonquils, species tulips and bluebells sway in gentle breezes alongside delphiniums, lupins and Clematis montana, creating a moving floral mosaic. The bush garden hums with nectar-loving birds among flowering grevilleas and correas, while the orchard’s espaliered heirloom apples and pears glow in peak blossom. Winter vegetables reach harvest, and new beds are readied for summer crops, illustrating succession planting in action. Waterwise prairie-style perennials and grasses begin to emerge in the main borders. Their seamless blend with the adjoining forest show how exotics and native planting can coexist in harmony.
As Julian Blackhirst, Diggers Head of Gardens, says: “I think it’s an innate part of humans to try to go back to nature because we know we belong in nature somewhere, but we’ve kind of got lost along the way. The garden gives you an opportunity to return home to where you belong.”
Eden Project, Cornwall, England
October at the Eden Project sees the Outdoor Gardens ablaze with autumn colour as sweet gum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) turn shades of red and burgundy. Prized for their fiery foliage and resin, these towering trees contrast with the Rainforest Biome, where tropical fruits such as starfruit, pineapples, bananas, granadilla passionfruit and giant jackfruit surprise visitors with their size and abundance. Meanwhile, the horticultural team is planting spring bulbs along verges and beds for next year’s displays.
As Peter Jones, Director of Horticulture, explains: “Many plants spend all summer absorbing To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key nutrients usually taken up from the soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants also need carbon, oxygen and hydrogen to make carbohydrates — their main energy source. Carbon and oxygen come from the air as carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is drawn from water absorbed by the roots. Other important soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough of these nutrients to support healthy plant growth.
Biddulph Grange Garden, England
Most spectacular in autumn, the Chinese garden at Biddulph Grange was inspired by the Willow Pattern design incorporating a zig zag bridge, pagoda and iconic trees such as Britain’s oldest Pseudolarix amabilis RHS Recommended: AGM or golden larch, acers introduced to the UK by the 19th Century plant hunter Robert Fortune, Cryptomeria japonica and in season tree paeonies, hosta beds and Cardiocrinum giganteum (giant Himalayan lily). An architectural and planting masterpiece weaves along a meandering pathway where curious creatures can be spotted such as golden dragons, seahorses, grebes, a golden bull and a stone frog by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse-Hawkins.
November
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, England
November at Forestry England’s Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is a high point of late autumn colour across its world-class tree collection. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) along Maple Loop, including a standout specimen off Mitchell Drive, glow in shades of crimson and gold, while larches (Larix) create a statuesque backdrop of buttery yellow. Persian ironwoods (Parrotia persica), among the Arboretum’s signature trees, shimmer in tones of yellow, orange and red, and sweet gums (Liquidambar) continue to light up Silk Wood and the top of Holford Ride. Oriental planes (Platanus orientalis) impress with their vast, flaking trunks, set against the rich textures of dawn redwood and swamp cypress.
As curator Dan Crowley notes, “there is still plenty of colour to be found here at Westonbirt… with stars of the show continuing to arrive late into the autumn season.”
December
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australia
In December, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney bursts into summer splendour, where long days, heat and occasional rain shape the season’s rhythm. Palms, cycads, gingers and rainforest plants are at their most striking, while vibrant mass plantings of zinnia, cosmos, sunflowers, poppies, cornflowers, alyssum and coreopsis infuse the garden with colour. Native treasures such as red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) and native pomegranate (Capparis arborea) draw birds, butterflies and other pollinators. Cool retreats under heritage trees and in the Fernery offer shade and display giant ferns and tropical perennials.
“Summer is one of our most demanding and rewarding seasons,” says Jarryd Kelley, curator manager, “but it brings out the true character of our collections and fills the garden with unmistakable summer optimism.”
Every garden has its own story, from distinctive plant collections to innovative design and the cultural influences that shape it. Whether exploring the RHS Gardens closer to home or venturing further afield to RHS Partner Gardens, there are endless lessons and inspirations to discover. Take in the seasonal highlights, observe planting strategies and let the world’s gardens inform your own planting, design and seasonal planning – wherever you are.
