Hidcote Gardens, England

Hidcote Gardens near Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds of England is one of the most unusual botanical gardens in the world and one of my favorites.  It is laid out in "rooms", surrounded by lush hedges or "walls".  Each room has a theme and is different from every other room.  It covers several acres.  You walk from room to room, each with it's own surprises.  It's easy to become lost.  In fact, while there, you wish you could become lost for days!  The gardens were designed and created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts & Crafts style starting in 1907.  He spent the next 41 years working on it.  Hedges, walls, water and paving were all combined to create a garden with an astonishing variety of effects.

 The entry way and tea room (what British garden wouldn't have a tea room?)

 A typical "English perennial garden" with the historic administrative offices.

 Delightfully old and beautiful!

Some rooms are formal.

The door to the next room is simply cut into the hedge.

A beautiful living pergola.

Try growing grass this lush and green in San Antonio! A bad case of envy!

The hedge has been shaped into a roofed entryway into the next room.

A common site in England - rock walls that are hundreds of years old.

A picture perfect garden from the entry into this room looking at the exit to the next room.

Lots of different plant textures and shapes.

Each room is unique and full of surprises!

Every plant is perfect......they must use scissors to prune them.

 An interesting combination of a hard iron gate and soft, supple hedge walls.