The Diligent Gardener: The most extravagant gardens on the planet

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need,” were said to be the wise words of famous Roman, Cicero. But, although it can prove fulfilling to read a book from your library, it may not compare to the natural beauty of a garden. The UK’s average garden is 50ft. long and is home to 10 types of flowers, a water feature and a barbecue, according to a report by Foxtons, an estate agent. But what about the most expensive, luxurious and extravagant gardens the world has to offer?

Browse this list of unusual and beautiful gardens from around the world in our outdoor guide by Arbordeck — a leading supplier of composite decking boards.

The USA: Bookworm Garden

Situated in Wisconsin, Bookworm Gardens is an environment that has been based around a host of popular childhood tales. With an aim to fuse a love of the outdoors with an affinity for books, Bookworm Gardens opened in 2010 as a non-profit organisation and now features fun buildings and characters from books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit. With turkeys, owls, chipmunks and butterflies calling Bookworm Gardens home, it’s no surprise that the venue is a top place for families and schools.

France: The Gardens of the Palace of Versailles

King Louis XIV made his reign all about wealth and beauty. Designed and renovated by André Le Nôtre in 1661, the monarch’s gardens surrounding the Palace of Versailles in France today offer some of the most striking landscapes in the world.

The garden project took a very long time to be finished — across four decades, Le Nôtre worked with artists and architects to design the gardens — with each project being overseen by the monarch. The renovation consisted of creating canals, shifting soil and transporting trees from various regions in the country at a time when the logistics and construction industries were obviously nowhere near as advanced as today.

It’s possible to now enjoy the gardens’ orangery, or stroll along the perimeter, taking in its marble sculptures, beautiful parterres and peaceful waterfalls.

England: Kew Gardens

When it comes to gardening, a third of Brits say they are competitive according to the earlier-mentioned Foxtons survey. This suggests that we have an affinity for aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces, rather than just an area that we can grow vegetables, seed potatoes, or do DIY. Kew Gardens is a very popular place to see for both Brits and international tourists. According to the most recent report, Kew Gardens attracted 20% more visitors than the previous year, implying that our love of attractive gardens is growing.

The glasshouse is iconic and is surrounded by an array of rare plants and immaculately kept lawns. In the evening, the area is illuminated spectacularly and during the day, you can wander around a maze of water features, buildings — such as the 18^th-century pagoda — and wildlife — from peacocks and robins, to ducks and Chinese water dragons. Planning a visit? Make time for The Hive — a 17-metre, multi-sensory construction that changes depending on bee activity.

The Netherlands: Keukenhof Gardens

There are seven million flowers, including 800 different types of tulip, on show at the 32-hectare Keukenhof Gardens. Perhaps it’s because Brits spend around £1.5 billion on garden plants every year, according to the Horticultural Trades Association, that this destination is popular.

Unfortunately, although it’s thought of as an excellent holiday spot, the Keukenhof Gardens only remain open for two months each year, so be careful when you visit. Here, you’re treated to a blend of English and French horticultural designs filled with old beech trees and pretty ponds, and there’s also a petting zoo home to miniature pigs, giant rabbits and alpacas!

Singapore: Gardens by the Bay

With a trio of waterfront areas than are home to over a million plants, Gardens by the Bay covers 250 acres. Into quirky venues and intrigued by what the years to come may look like? This futuristic-looking garden gives the impression of a grown-over city centuries from now, with huge towers, glassed domes, immaculate walkways, and immense water features surrounded by exotic trees and vivid plants. Clearly, it’s a popular destination — Gardens by the Bay has attracted more than 40 million people to date and is even one of the top-20 checked-in places on Earth by Facebook users.

The largest glass greenhouse in the world — Flower Dome — and Supertree Grove, which is a network of illuminated, tree-shaped vertical gardens, are two spots to vist. At Gardens by the Bay, you can explore rare flowers and endangered plants. Plus, you can experience memorable views from the 22-metre high aerial walkway.

Scotland: Garden of Cosmic Speculation

This space, in Dumfries, is somewhere science geeks and puzzle fans will adore. This 30-acre garden was made by architect, Charles Jencks, and offers visitors the chance to explore ideas, theories and global influences — from black holes to oriental landscaping! There are terraces, sculptures, lakes, bridges, and a labyrinth of witty architectural works at Garden of Cosmic Speculation. Designed to detail the story of the universe and complexities of space and time, you can spend hours working out what Jencks meant by checked terraces, snail-formed mounds and zigzagging staircases.