Hemel Hempstead couple showcase their 'exceptional' garden at special launch events

John and Christina, who live in Bennetts End, are taking part in an upcoming National Garden Scheme weekend event starting on Saturday.

It has been described as an exceptional garden residing in the least expected of places.

Here you will discover a garden far removed from the ordinary, where John often loses track of time tending to the individual needs of his extraordinary collection of exotic and tropical plants, writes Anna Marie Felice, a volunteer with Hertfordshire National Garden Scheme.

"When did this all begin?" is a question John is often asked. He and his wife, Christina, have lived in their home for more than thirty years. It would be fair to say that John has always had a keen interest in gardening, but it was not until he visited the Hertfordshire Tiny Tropical Garden in Croxley, four years ago, that his fascination with exotic and tropical plants truly took root. Inspired by what he saw, he returned home with a new vision for his own garden, one that has continued to evolve ever since.

John recalls that his very first banana plant was purchased from The Mediterranean Nursery just outside Flaunden. The nursery specialised in architectural and tropical plants, including palms, bananas, bamboos and a wide variety of other exotic species. Looking around John's garden today, it is easy to see how that first purchase marked the beginning of a passion. In many ways, the nursery's description could just as easily be used to describe John's own remarkable garden.

John’s ease with recalling the name of each plant and where he had purchased each one of them is remarkable. And there are also plants grown from seed such as the Ricinus sown earlier this spring and left to germinate at a friend’s greenhouse before it was brought home to thrive.

But there’s more to John and Christina’s sheltered garden that keeps them company. Belmont the bear has kept a watchful eye over their garden for more than ten years. He was purchased on a whim by John who was out celebrating a special birthday at the time.

John, Christina and Belmont look forward to welcoming visitors to their very first open garden in aid of the National Garden Scheme. Christina has been busy baking, and we’ve reassured her that there can never be too much cake. With plenty of homemade treats on offer, visitors are in for a warm welcome as well as a memorable garden to enjoy.