More imaginative than new wellies or another trowel, our gardeners’ Christmas gift guide includes days out, inspiring reads and even garden-themed gin!

Vouchers for Gardens

Garden tours at Gravetye Manor

Gravetye Manor is a 16th century hotel nestled in lovely Sussex countryside. Created by visionary gardener William Robinson in 1885, this is now considered one of the most important historic gardens in England. A tour by one of the manor’s gardeners takes in the beautiful flower and kitchen gardens and is available from March to October on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to anyone with a lunch reservation or staying at the hotel. £25 per person. https://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/the-gardens/garden-tours/

Memberships

Great Dixter

Great Dixter near Rye in East Sussex is an historic house, a garden, a centre of education and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from across the world. The home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd, it inspired 40 years of books and articles. £72 for 12 months. https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/become-a-friend-dixter

Hestercombe

Described as “one of the top twenty gardens to visit in the country”, Hestercombe near Taunton in Somerset offers three centuries of garden design along with the best in contemporary art practice. Membership brings unlimited access to Hestercombe Gardens, House and Gallery. £41.50 for 12 months. https://www.hestercombe.com/your-visit/membership

Oxford Botanic Garden

Britain's oldest botanic garden was founded in 1621. Membership as a Friend includes an invitation to events such as May Morning, the Friends' summer party and behind-the-scenes visits to other gardens. It also includes entry to Harcourt Arboretum, with 130 acres of woodland walks, wildflower meadows and ponds, supporting vital research into plants and the environment. £36 for 12 months. https://www.obga.ox.ac.uk/become-a-friend

The Newt, Somerset

Stunning gardens, museum, shop and restaurants. Membership is a ticket to enjoy year-round events, from estate-led menus to workshops, Garden Day in spring, Garden Lates in summer, Harvest and Apple Day come autumn, and enchanted trails in winter. £48 for 12 months. https://thenewtinsomerset.com/garden

The Physic Garden, Chelsea

London’s oldest botanic garden is a living library which illustrates the vital importance of plants in every aspect of our lives, conserving and protecting endangered plants for future generations. Membership also includes free entry to the Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair as well as partner gardens in Oxford, Sussex and Hastings. £53 for 12 months. https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

Books

The Pig: Tales & recipes from the kitchen garden and beyond

The PIGs is a collection of restaurants, each with a kitchen garden at its heart. Foragers, gardeners and chefs work hand-in-hand to find, grow and create menus of simple British garden food, and this book combines delicious recipes, kitchen garden tricks and home-grown how-to guides into a “stylish, practical guide to living the good life.” In the words of Head Kitchen Gardener Ollie Hutson: “The gardeners have the best jobs. We get to be outside in the fresh air, in nature and the elements." The Pig: Tales & recipes from the kitchen garden and beyond

The Story of Gardening

A fascinating, definitive history of garden development and design. From the earliest documented gardens of ancient Mesopotamia to the eclectic landscapes of the 21st century, this is a cultural history of famous gardens around the world. Author Penelope Hobhouse is a doyenne of gardening, recipient of the Guild of Garden Writers Lifetime Achievement Award and winner of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Victoria medal. The Story of Gardening


And more ideas…

The gift of flowers that keeps on giving … Flowers delivered as often as you prefer.

Purbrook and Gould: 3, 6 or 12 deliveries of luxury flowers, from £350. https://pulbrookandgould.co.uk/collections/a-gift-of-flowers/products/a-gift-of-flowers

Moyses Stevens: weekly, monthly or in between, deluxe bouquets are £110 each. https://www.moysesflowers.co.uk/subscription-flowers-uk/

Flowerbox: weekly, fortnightly or monthly flowers. A premium subscription is £80 per delivery. https://www.flowerbx.com/subscriptions

Paul Thomas: weekly floral service to private homes throughout London, including mid-week watering and deadheading maintenance. Price following a consultation, where bespoke flowers will be recommended to complement each space. https://paulthomasflowers.co.uk/weekly-flowers/

Gift vouchers

A haven for houseplant lovers with two shops in East London
https://www.conservatoryarchives.co.uk/online-store-accessories/gift-card

A favourite of ours! Niwaki import great gardening equipment and more from Japan.
https://www.niwaki.com/voucher/#P00267-3

Garden-related drinks

Gins: what about Bloom, The Botanist, rhubarb gin or Secret Garden Apothecary Rose Gin? Let your imagination (and your recipient’s taste buds) run wild! https://secretgardendistillery.co.uk/products/apothecary-rose-gin £35.95

Non-alcoholic alternative: Sprigster, a sophisticated aperitif created by a gang of gardeners, cooks and epicureans, using fine fruits and sprigs of green from Pythouse Kitchen Garden. https://www.pythousekitchengarden.co.uk/sprigster £26

Merry Christmas!

Please get in touch to see how we can help you with your garden. You can reach us on 0207 305 7183 or email at enquire@alasteranderson.com