When asked about the world’s top gardens, many may think of Kew Gardens in London. Although they are perhaps the best gardens in London and among the best in the world, there are many others that are as good or at least nearly as good. Here is a list of perhaps the top 10 gardens in the world:
01: Cháteau de Versailles, Versailles, France
250 acres of garden set out for King Louis X1V in the 17th century southwest of Paris. The gardens have plenty of paths, ornamental lakes and even a canal where the King took Gondola rides.
02: Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, Kew, Surrey, England
This is 326 acres of landscaped gardens complete with greenhouses, just 10 miles from London. It features the largest Victorian greenhouse and a Bonsai garden which has trees that are more than 150 years old. Below a sloping glass roof, ten climate zones are represented.
03: Powerscourt Gardens, County Wicklow, Ireland
This is 47 acres of formal walled gardens with shaded ponds, waterfalls and pavilions, south of Dublin. Inspired by the renaissance in Italy, the gardens and walkways were all carefully designed for maximum enjoyment with the Wicklow Mountains as a backdrop.
04: Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
This 55 acre garden was once a cement quarry, using soil from nearby farms in 1904 it was transformed into gardens that house 700 varieties of plants that all bloom between March and September.
05: Villa de’Este, Tivoli, Italy
A run down monastery was transformed into a Villa with gardens. Listed as one of Italy’s top 31 historical sites by UNESCO, this is one of the most interesting garden and fountain complexes in the world. It features the Avenue of 100 Fountains and many of the fountains are very interesting, such as animal heads, that all spurt water.
06: Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C.
These gardens are situated on an estate in the ‘posh’ area of the town, at the north end of Georgetown. It features a walled fountain terrace covered in vines and a lover’s lane, Roman style amphitheater and a deep blue pool.
07: Gardens of the Villa Éphrussi de Rothschild, St. Jean Cap Ferrat, France
Paths lead through seven themed gardens, that include Japanese and exotic gardens. There are fountains, a Lily pad dotted pond and a Temple of Love.
08: Stourhead, Warminster, England
A member of the English gentry in the 18th century, Henry Hoare 11, had built in these gardens, replicas of the Pantheon and the Temple of Apollo.
09: The Master of Nets Garden, Suzhou, China
Built sometime during the song Dynasty (A.D. 960 – 1270) Features pavilions, music rooms, halls and a Bamboo grove, all designed and created in natural harmony. In the central section, piles of yellow stones make up mountains, complete with caverns.
10: Sans Souci, Potsdam, Germany
These are the gardens of Rococo Palace, built for Frederick the Great of Prussia and they feature Busts of Roman Emperors, statues and a Chinese teahouse.