Gardens to Visit in USA

An innovative new website aimed at garden lovers described by Monty Don – one of the UK’s best-loved TV gardeners – as encompassing ‘an extraordinary array of natural and horticultural riches’, launches on 20 February.

MyCapitalGardensUSA.co.uk will highlight a rich and diverse collection of the best ‘secret’ and historic gardens on the eastern seaboard, along with the chance to win a ‘flower power’ trip for two to the Capital Region USA.

The new website which has been developed by the Capital Region USA, in association with the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), features the ‘pick of the bunch’ of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC’s botanical gardens, National Parks, wineries and farmers’ markets. These include Jefferson’s Monticello, featured in Monty Don’s very personal expedition ‘Around the World in 80 Gardens’ broadcast by the BBC and described by him as being ‘perhaps the most famous garden in the whole region – if not the whole of America.’

“There is a wide range of spectacular gardens to visit in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC,” said Monty. “Many are loaded with history, as well as being exciting examples of the most modern ideas about contemporary garden design.

“I made my pilgrimage to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in autumn, when the fall colours were at their best,” adds Monty, “but I long to return in spring and see it again – and many of the other gardens I missed first time round such as Dumbarton Oaks, Ladew Topiary Gardens and the fabulous arboretums in this region.”

Said Valerie Caldwell, Deputy Chief Executive of the NGS: “We are excited to work with the Capital Region USA to open up a new world of opportunity for garden visiting. There is a tremendous synergy between the aims of our organisations. We both wish to raise the profile of the beauty and potential of our gardens to the enthusiastic visitor. Our highly popular and famous Yellow Book plays a unique role in attracting garden visits within the UK and around the world. We believe this new website will prove an inspirational and invaluable source of reference for travellers to Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.”

Visitors to MyCapitalGardensUSA.co.uk will have the chance to win a truly memorable 11-night holiday for two to visit these fabulous gardens and national parks in a prize draw offered by The Capital Region USA and its specialist travel partner, America As You Like It. This brand new ‘Vibrant Cities, Secret Gardens and Magnificent Mountains’ itinerary, features a circular ‘garden route’ tailored for visiting distinctive gardens and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. It includes scheduled flights, accommodation and car rental.

The free prize draw is open to website visitors until 31st May 2009 (subject to terms and conditions fully detailed on www.MyCapitalRegionUSA.co.uk).

The website also features a selection of ‘Garden Getaway’ recommendations by local tourism experts and road and rail options from Amtrak and Reston Limousines.