I love summer! I always try to set aside plenty of time not only to spend in our own garden, but to visit lots of other gardens too.

At the end of June, we visited the wonderful garden at Pashley Manor in Kent. I wanted to see the roses there and I wasn’t disappointed. I truly felt as if I’d stepped into the pages of The Rose Girls.

We also stopped in for a quick look at the walled garden at Scotney Castle where I berated myself for not growing Paul’s Himalayan Musk. Isn’t it a beauty?

And just last week, we spent the afternoon at Great Dixter. I’d previously visited in May, but this was my first summer visit – on the hottest day of the year so far! At least that gave us the perfect excuse to sit on almost every bench and step around the garden.

Every time I visit a beautiful garden, I can’t help wondering if I should write another garden-based novel. I so loved writing my trilogy, and interest in the healing power of gardens has never been greater. Perhaps I should take my notebook outside and see what happens…