Situated within touching distance of France, the island of Jersey is blessed with wonderfully mild and sunny weather, making it the perfect destination for an early summer holiday. It is also home to some splendid gardens which make the most of this favourable climate to produce stunning displays, not to mention the profusion of wildflowers that thrive in the lush green meadows.

Creux Baillot Cottage Garden is set in a tranquil valley and packed full of unusual plants and elegant features. We will also have a look for some of the rare wild orchids to be found in the meadows around here, in particular Le Noir Pré, where species such as the rare Jersey wild orchid, the spotted orchid and the southern marsh orchid can usually be found. At the Domain des Vaux, fine trees and shrubs are set around a traditional Jersey farmhouse and at Les Aix we find nut and camellia trees, and borders with old English roses. We also visit the excellent Samarès Botanical Gardens and the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, and we have a day set aside to explore the many attractions of Jersey such as the War Tunnels and Mount Orgueil Castle, or take an optional day trip to Guernsey which includes a visit to historic Sausmarez Manor and its wonderful sub-tropical garden (not available on the May departure).

Our September tour is led by expert horticulturalist and former Curator of RHS Garden Wisley Colin Crosbie and we also enjoy the services of a local guide.