We all know the gardens on the garden bucket list: Sissinghurst, Dumbarton Oaks, Ryoan-ji. But what about the ones you don't even know about that are certainly worth a visit.
In Green Escapes: The Guide to Secret Urban Gardens
Just to give you a hint of what's in this guide:
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose
There are two major gardens here, the first a 500 square meter butterfly garden in a glass atrium that features tropical plants home to 25 butterfly species native to the Central Valley. The second is an open-air rectangular courtyard that has views out over the city and includes stone spheres carved by indigenous peoples.
Monforte Gardens, Valencia, Spain
This 1.1 hectare garden was created in the mid 1800s for the Marquis of San Juan by local architect Sebastián Monleón Estellés. Enjoy the small sunken garden surrounded by cypress, pools, fountains, and garden beds, then head to six parterres and on to a pergola, orange grove, and shady garden comparments.
And, the next time you're in Los Angeles, stop by
The Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
This 4000 square meter garden is on the hall's roof terrace, designed by landscape architect Melinda Taylor. There are winding paths and lush garden beds featuring trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses as well as vegetables and herbs that are harvested for the hall's Patina restaurant. Well worth a visit if you're in the vicinity, but it's closed before and after performances, so do check the schedule.
It's a small book you can easily take on a trip, and you'll be using it for years as you travel the globe.
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