If you’re a passionate gardener, you know that your backyard is more than just a plot of land, it is your sanctuary. The countless hours spent, planting, cutting, pruning and removing has made it all worthwhile. However, if you’re like us, you know there’s more out there in the world.

Eventually, even the most dedicated green thumb knows that there is a world of extraordinary botanical landscapes just waiting to be explored. If you are a US-based garden lover, the prospect of booking your first international garden tour can feel daunting.

Where do you start? How do you ensure you aren’t just seeing “tourist traps”? And how do you handle the logistics of moving between remote, private estates in a foreign country?

This is your comprehensive guide to stepping out of your backyard and into the world’s most spectacular gardens.

What Are Garden Tours?

A garden tour is a guided travel experience focused on visiting curated gardens, estates, and landscaped grounds. Unlike hiking or nature tours, garden tours focus on carefully designed and maintained horticultural spaces. Often created through centuries of artistic and scientific gardening.

These tours are led by experts in horticulture and are designed to educate, inspire, and immerse travelers in the world of plants, design, and landscape architecture. Rather than simply observing, participants learn about:

• > Garden history and cultural significance
• > Plant species and seasonal displays
• > Landscape design principles
• > Sustainable gardening practices
• > Maintenance techniques used by professionals

Founded by Graham and Sandra Ross, the team at Ross Tours, have spent over 45 years answering these questions. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between a simple vacation and a true horticultural pilgrimage.

Garden Tours Around the World

Garden tours offer travelers a chance to experience some of the most beautiful and thoughtfully designed landscapes on the planet. From historic European estates to innovative Asian botanical attractions and diverse Australian gardens, each region tells its own story through plants, design, and cultural tradition.

For travelers from the USA, these tours provide an immersive way to explore horticulture on a global scale.

Chelsea Flower Show & the Gardens of England

Europe is home to some of the most stunning gardens in the world, with England offering particularly unforgettable experiences for garden lovers. Immerse yourself in a springtime wonderland, where blossoms adorn every corner, bluebells carpet the meadows, and wildflowers paint a vibrant picture.

Delight your senses as you wander through some of the world’s most spectacular gardens. From the grandeur of regal estates to the charm of quaint cottage gardens, England’s variety and beauty will leave you in awe.

Indulge in exclusive experiences, including VIP access on RHS members’- only opening day of the renowned Chelsea Flower Show. Book your garden adventure today and witness the splendour of England’s floral treasures led by luminary tour guides.

Cherry Blossoms of Japan

Embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary and feeds your soul with breathtaking beauty: Our garden tours in Japan. Explore magical cherry blossoms, one of Japan’s most celebrated natural phenomena.

Our Japan-based cherry blossom tour offers you an unparalleled view of the sakura, Japan’s iconic cherry blossom trees, in full bloom. Each year, the landscape of Japan transforms into a captivating canvas of pink hues, weaving a romantic ambiance that never fails to enthrall visitors.

With over 40 years of experience, we ensure you get the best out of your travel time. On every step of your journey, our expert tour leaders, renowned for their rich garden knowledge, will accompany you, providing fascinating insights and guiding you through Japan’s awe-inspiring garden scene.

Explore the Stunning Gardens of Marlborough and Hurunui

Experience the botanical wonders of New Zealand’s South Island on an exclusive and intimate small group tour through the fascinating landscapes of Marlborough and Hurunui. Renowned for their exquisite gardens and warm Kiwi hospitality, immerse yourself in the vibrant garden traditions of Christchurch.

From there venture to Hanmer Springs, where you can relax in thermal pools amidst a picturesque oasis. Explore the renowned Garden Marlborough and the captivating Frensham Gardens, among others. Delight in the beauty New Zealand’s gardens have to offer on this unforgettable small group tour.

Our New Zealand small group tour is designed to offer unique, immersive experiences, with a rich array of New Zealand’s most enchanting gardens. This is more than just a typical trip; it’s an intimate exploration of an exotic landscape, with exciting local anecdotes, culture, and history.

How to Choose the Right Garden Tour

Choosing the right garden tour depends on your interests, travel experience, and how immersive you want the journey to be. Different destinations offer very different styles of garden design, history, and cultural influence.

For History and Tradition Choose England

England is ideal for travelers who appreciate classical garden design, historic estates, and centuries of horticultural influence. English gardens are known for their structure, seasonal planting, and deep connection to landscape history.

From grand country estates to intimate garden “rooms,” England offers a rich mix of styles that have shaped garden design around the world.

For Culture and Contrast Choose Japan

Japan offers a completely different approach to garden design, where balance, symbolism, and simplicity are central. Japanese gardens are carefully crafted to reflect nature in its most refined form, often blending water, stone, and plants into highly symbolic landscapes.

travelers can explore tranquil temple gardens, minimalist Zen spaces, and seasonal displays that change dramatically throughout the year.

For Natural Beauty and Discovery Choose New Zealand

New Zealand is ideal for travelers who want a mix of cultivated gardens and dramatic natural scenery. Its gardens often showcase a blend of native plants and international influences, set against breathtaking landscapes.

Visitors can expect a relaxed, nature-focused experience, with botanical gardens, coastal plantings, and private estates that highlight the country’s rich biodiversity.

Why Choose an Organized Garden Tour?

While independent travel is an option, organized garden tours offer several advantages that appeal to many travelers, particularly those visiting from the USA or planning long-haul trips.

Convenience and Planning

Our curated and organized tours take care of flights, accommodation, transport, and entry tickets, removing the stress of planning and coordination. Allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience.

Expert Guidance

Knowledgeable guides provide insight into plant species, design history, and seasonal highlights that you might otherwise miss.

Access to Exclusive Gardens

Some tours also offer access to private estates or restricted gardens that aren’t typically open to the general public, adding a unique and exclusive element to the experience.

Social Experience

traveling with like-minded garden enthusiasts creates opportunities to share experiences and form connections along the way. Many of our travelers become friends for life and we get together at Christmas time to reminisce about our adventure from the year.

What Makes a Garden Tour Experience Unique?

Here at Ross Tours, our garden tours are defined by thoughtful planning, expert selection, and attention to detail. Our team carefully curates itineraries to ensure travelers experience gardens at their peak seasonal beauty.

A well-designed tour typically includes:

• > Carefully selected garden destinations
• > Small group sizes for a more personal experience
• > Comfortable pacing with time to explore
• > Inclusion of accommodation and major logistics
• > Opportunities for learning and interaction

The goal isn’t just sightseeing, but a meaningful engagement with each location, allowing you to truly appreciate its design, history, and natural beauty.

Why Choose a Ross Tours Garden Tour?

Graham and Sandra Ross started Ross Tours in 1980 to share beautiful gardens around the world with fellow garden-lovers. From a love of exploring the world with friends, our tours are crafted to deliver unforgettable experiences.

Led by expert guides and featuring deluxe accommodation, every journey is relaxed, inspiring, and full of fun. A general tour might give you 45 minutes at a garden, barely enough time to find the nursery, let alone study the planting schemes. A Ross Tours offers:

• > Pace: We understand that gardeners move differently. We build in time for photography, plant identification, and simply sitting on a bench to soak in the atmosphere.
• > Access: Many of the world’s most beautiful gardens are private. Because of our 45-year history, we have the keys to gates that remain locked to the general public.
• > Expertise: Your tour leader isn’t just a “guide”; we are professional horticulturists and garden designers. Imagine walking through a Scandinavian estate with someone who can explain exactly why a specific cultivar is thriving in that latitude.

Book Your Garden Tour Today

Booking an international garden tour is more than just a holiday, it is a journey to some of the world’s most beautiful gardens. Upon your return to the USA with a camera full of inspiration, a suitcase (hopefully) full of gardening books, and a brand-new perspective on what is possible in your own backyard.

The world is full of extraordinary beauty. From the Japan cherry blossom tour to the New Zealand small group tour and garden tours in England. Isn’t it time you went and saw it for yourself? Whether it’s your first garden tour or you’ve been before, each journey offers a fresh opportunity to learn, explore, and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of nature in full bloom.

Ready to start your adventure? Explore our upcoming International Garden Tours and join the Ross Tours family on a journey you’ll never forget. Get in touch with us today and start your next gardening adventure with Ross Tours.